Sen. Robin Padilla Speaks on Desire To Go To The Hague Where Former Pres. Duterte’s Detained
ROBIN PADILLA – The minority Senator expressed his desire to fly to The Hague, Netherlands where former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is currently detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court.
Since March 2025, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is detained under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. The former Chief Executive was arrested by the Philippine authorities who assisted the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol last March 11.
Amid his detention, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte appealed for an interim release to the ICC but his plea was rejected. According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, a third country was supposedly ready to host the interim release of her father in case the foreign court grants it.
The children of former Pres. Duterte were taking turns in visiting him inside the ICC detention facility in The Hague. Immediately after the court’s verdict was out, the Duterte family issued a statement saying they accept the interim release ruling of the ICC “with open hearts”.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has accused the ICC of allegedly being biased. The Vice President believes that Pres. Bongbong Marcos has supposedly committed an impeachable offense over the arrest and the transfer of the custody of her father to the foreign court.
Nicholas Kaufman, the lead counsel of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, previously claimed that the former President is allegedly unfit to stand trial. The ICC postponed the confirmation of charges hearing of the former President.
Recently, the ICC released a new schedule for the confirmation of charges hearing of Duterte after the foreign court ruled that he is fit to stand the pre-trial proceedings. It will start on February 23 to Feb. 27. According to Sen. Robin Padilla, he supposedly want to go to The Hague for the confirmation of charges hearing.
“Alam mo kung tatanungin mo ‘yung puso ko, oo, gusto ko pumunta… Kaya lang may session pa,” Padilla said based on a post of News5.
According to Sen. Robin Padilla, he was able to fly to The Hague last year because it was campaign season then and there was no session in the Senate. He stressed that he has a mandate as a senator so he cannot just go abroad.
“Noon kasi, last year ay campaign season. Walang session, nakapagbantay ako doon. Pero ngayon, may session pa eh, ‘di ko magagawa ‘yan dahil siyempre mayroon akong mandato at ako ay sumumpa sa taumbayan,” the Senator added.
Recently, Sen. Robin Padilla admitted that he is open to be the running mate of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte in the 2028 Elections. The Vice President recently announced that he will take the presidential race.