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Monday, Oct 27, 2025
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Vice President Sara Duterte Completes Mission in The Hague Amid Ongoing Legal Developments for Rodrigo Duterte
Sara Duterte prepares to return to the Philippines after fulfilling her obligations at the ICC, while her father's legal team challenges the court's jurisdiction.
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has announced her return to the Philippines after successfully completing her mission at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Duterte stated that she has delivered the necessary documents requested from her and is now finalizing her travel arrangements.
She expressed eagerness to return home, emphasizing that a system has been established for their family to coordinate visits to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained.
Sara Duterte has been in The Hague since March 12, 2025, just one day after her father was arrested at the request of the ICC on charges related to crimes against humanity connected to the controversial 'war on drugs' during his presidency.
The former president's legal troubles are rooted in the ICC's investigation into allegations that thousands were killed during narcotics crackdowns under his administration.
In related events, the legal team representing Rodrigo Duterte has formally challenged the ICC's jurisdiction in their ongoing proceedings.
In a document filed on May 1, lawyers Nicholas Kaufman and Dov Jacobs argued for the immediate release of the former president, asserting that the Philippines was no longer a State Party to the Rome Statute at the time the ICC authorized its investigation in 2021. They contended that the procedural foundations for the current case lacked legal validity and called for the charges to be dismissed.
Duterte's defense maintains that all steps taken in the case should be nullified, asserting that the necessary legal conditions for the ICC to exercise its jurisdiction were not satisfied.
The ICC prosecutor has yet to respond to this challenge, with a confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September 23.
Adding to the political discourse, Vice President Sara Duterte publicly called for the impeachment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., claiming that the handling of her father's arrest constitutes an illegal action against the former president.
She characterized the transfer of Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC as a violation of Philippine sovereignty and an act amounting to 'extraordinary rendition,' which she described as a serious crime under international law.
Malacañang has refrained from commenting on the defense petition presented before the ICC or the Vice President's impeachment call.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the decision regarding the case remains with the ICC, expressing no concern regarding ongoing legal proceedings despite the risky political implications.
In a separate development, Senator Imee Marcos has requested the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate several high-ranking officials, including Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, alleging potential misconduct in relation to the former president's arrest.
She transmitted a report from her Senate committee, suggesting that the actions of these officials might have violated both local and international legal standards concerning the treatment of detainees.
Senator Marcos's report indicates that the committee observed significant procedural disruptions in how the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte was handled and called for accountability among officials implicated in these proceedings.
Duterte stated that she has delivered the necessary documents requested from her and is now finalizing her travel arrangements.
She expressed eagerness to return home, emphasizing that a system has been established for their family to coordinate visits to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained.
Sara Duterte has been in The Hague since March 12, 2025, just one day after her father was arrested at the request of the ICC on charges related to crimes against humanity connected to the controversial 'war on drugs' during his presidency.
The former president's legal troubles are rooted in the ICC's investigation into allegations that thousands were killed during narcotics crackdowns under his administration.
In related events, the legal team representing Rodrigo Duterte has formally challenged the ICC's jurisdiction in their ongoing proceedings.
In a document filed on May 1, lawyers Nicholas Kaufman and Dov Jacobs argued for the immediate release of the former president, asserting that the Philippines was no longer a State Party to the Rome Statute at the time the ICC authorized its investigation in 2021. They contended that the procedural foundations for the current case lacked legal validity and called for the charges to be dismissed.
Duterte's defense maintains that all steps taken in the case should be nullified, asserting that the necessary legal conditions for the ICC to exercise its jurisdiction were not satisfied.
The ICC prosecutor has yet to respond to this challenge, with a confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September 23.
Adding to the political discourse, Vice President Sara Duterte publicly called for the impeachment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., claiming that the handling of her father's arrest constitutes an illegal action against the former president.
She characterized the transfer of Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC as a violation of Philippine sovereignty and an act amounting to 'extraordinary rendition,' which she described as a serious crime under international law.
Malacañang has refrained from commenting on the defense petition presented before the ICC or the Vice President's impeachment call.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the decision regarding the case remains with the ICC, expressing no concern regarding ongoing legal proceedings despite the risky political implications.
In a separate development, Senator Imee Marcos has requested the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate several high-ranking officials, including Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, alleging potential misconduct in relation to the former president's arrest.
She transmitted a report from her Senate committee, suggesting that the actions of these officials might have violated both local and international legal standards concerning the treatment of detainees.
Senator Marcos's report indicates that the committee observed significant procedural disruptions in how the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte was handled and called for accountability among officials implicated in these proceedings.
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