VP Sara Duterte says mom Elizabeth Zimmerman coming to The Hague

THE HAGUE —Elizabeth Zimmerman, ex-wife of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is coming to The Hague, Vice President Sara Duterte told reporters outside the Hague Penitentiary Institution after her visit on Thursday afternoon.

“I think nag-decide siya [Zimmerman] last night na pupunta siya rito. Whether or not makapasok daw siya, pupunta raw siya,” VP Sara said.

(I think she decided last night to come here. Whether or not she will be allowed to enter [the penitentiary], she said she will come,)

The vice president added Zimmerman is no longer considered next of kin as her marriage to the former president was already annulled.

The next-of-kin privileges now rest with Duterte’s children from his marriage to Zimmerman—Sara, her brothers Paolo (Davao City's 1st District representative) and Sebastian (Davao City mayor), and their half-sibling Veronica (Kitty), Duterte’s daughter with his common-law partner Honeylet Avanceña.

It is unclear whether other family members, aside from Sara and Zimmerman, will be able to visit the former president. 

The vice president also said she is unsure if her siblings can obtain visas in time for the planned gathering of pro-Duterte supporters on March 23, ahead of his 80th birthday on March 28.

Duterte’s first week in detention

It has now been a week since Duterte was taken into custody by the International Criminal Court for his alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s war on drugs.

Sara confirmed her father has already moved out of the hospital facility within the detention center and has access to medical care. She added that he is monitored for his blood sugar levels and has requested items like dental floss, which must be purchased within the facility.

When asked about his activities inside the facility, Sara said the former president watches TV, but the content is filtered, so he is unable to watch the news.

Sara also shared that she asked her father if he wanted her to bring books because he likes reading, but he declined.

“He loves reading. I offered him a book. Pero nga daw sabi niya, hirap na daw siyang makakita (But he said he has poor eyesight now),” VP Sara said.

Robin Padilla

Meanwhile, Senator Robinhood Padilla said former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea is in good condition and that the latter remains “concerned” with former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Sa usapin ng nasa mabuti siyang kalagayan, dahil nandito siya, okay yun. Kasi may hospital, nasasabi natin [na] anuman ang kailangan niya, [kung kailangang] operahan siya, nandito lahat,” Padilla told GMA Integrated News about Medialdea’s current situation in the hospital. 

The senator also said Medialdea’s concern despite his hospital confinement is still about Duterte’s welfare and wishes. 

“Ang kulit kahapon, kasi gustong bumalik [sa Penitentiary]. Eh [pinigilan] na nga siya ng mga tao doon [sa hospital]. … Hanggang dun sa emergency room, pinalabas nga ako nung nurse.”

“[Paulit-ulit niyang pinaalala” yung pagkain. [Kapag] pumayag na yung [sa pagpapadala] ng pagkain, dapat Pilipino. Yung mga ganun ba na bilin ng kaibigan. Yung sa legal kasi, [hindi] naman ako [sinasabihan] tungkol doon. Pero, sinasabi ko sa kanya, ‘Yes, ‘wag nang magkwento’.”

Padilla accompanied Medialdea on board an ambulance on Tuesday afternoon. It was not immediately clear what medical condition Medialdea faced, but the senator gave limited details as to what happened.

The senator told GMA Integrated News that he is waiting for clearance to visit the former president, explaining that he needs to discuss important matters with him as chairman of their political party, PDP-Laban. 

"Ang aking pong boss, dating Pangulo ng Pilipinas. At siya po ang chairman ng … PDP-Laban. Ako po ang presidente [nito]. Nasa kalagitnaan po tayo ng eleksyon, ng kampanya. Dapat po nakakausap ko yung chairman ko kung ano po ang plano," he said.

Padilla noted that he expected a response regarding his visit request yesterday.

“Baka lumabas yung permit ko, 11 o’clock," he said. When asked about the approval process, he explained, "Kung ikaw ay political ally, may ground po ‘yon."

Sen. Padilla was seen leaving the area a couple of minutes after the interview. It was not immediately clear whether his clearance was approved or not.

Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News reached out to the ICC for clarification on whether political allies, including Padilla, are permitted to visit the former president. The inquiry also requested details on the visitation schedule for detainees and the duration of visit, and how Duterte’s daily routine would be structured outside of visiting hours.

In response, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah said, “ Regarding visits, we don’t communicate the detainees’ visits and meetings.”—LDF, GMA Integrated News