Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte amid ICC Detention
RODRIGO DUTERTE – The former President is confident that he has allegedly “no case” to answer to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The turn of events last March 11 shocked the Filipino populace. Upon his arrival from Hong Kong, the Philippine National Police (PNP) authorities arrested former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte following the release of an ICC arrest warrant.
Former Pres. Duterte was brought to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai on the same day that he was arrested by the authorities. For several days, Duterte stayed at the hospital wing of the ICC detention facility but is now under a regular detention.
Last March 15, former Pres. Duterte appeared remotely before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC. He was represented by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea who served as his legal counsel.
However, after a few days, Salvador Medialdea was rushed to the hospital and had to undergo an emergency heart procedure. Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque was also present in The Hague.
However, contrary to the previous claim of Roque, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte expressed that Medialdea and Roque will not be part of the ICC legal team of her father. British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman will lead the legal team of former Pres. Duterte.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte spoke before thousands of people gathered in spring sunshine on the Malieveld in The Hague. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, she expressed about the confidence of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to get out from the ICC battle positively.
“He’s very confident about the legal arguments. He’s very confident… that what they did was wrong and there is no case to begin with,” the Vice President said.
Vice Pres. Duterte also expressed that the 79-year-old former President “feels better now” and she is grateful that the doctors and nurses are taking good care of her father. Based on the report, the former President is already getting the rice she requested. However, he has a few requests.
Former Pres. Duterte is requesting for his personal clothes as well as his supply of a diet coke. In several instances, the former President was spotted drinking this soda beverage which seems to be his favorite.
Previously, following the Vice President’s pronouncement over the legal team of her father, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said it is VP Sara Duterte’s call and he won’t insist himself.