VP Sara says 'ironic,' but thanks Marcos for renewed relationship with dad Rodrigo

THE HAGUE – Vice President Sara Duterte said she “has to thank” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for her renewed relationship with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at Scheveningen Prison in The Hague.

“This really is ironic, but I have to thank Bongbong Marcos because there was forgiveness between me and [former President Duterte] for all that has happened in our lives,” the vice president told reporters following her visit to her father on Tuesday. 

The former leader is facing trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity.  His arrest by the ICC came amid earlier pronouncements by the Marcos administration that it won't cooperate with the international body.

Sara added she has a “father-daughter relationship now” with the former president, and that she cannot speak with him about legal matters about his ICC case.

“We have that relationship now–a father-daughter relationship since we cannot discuss anything legal anymore because it is understood inside that only the lawyers can discuss legal matters with the former president.”

Sara’s scheduled visit lasted almost three hours, the longest since she was allowed to see her father after his initial appearance before the ICC on March 14.

“We only discuss family [matters] and this has been one of the longest meetings I have had with the former president. Growing up, he was always busy with work, he was always busy with the country," she said.

Sara also told the media and their family’s supporters that she feels “blessed” despite the ICC case her father is facing. 

“And now, I have this every day with him talking about life, talking about family. And for that, I feel like I am blessed. Because at this point, he's already 80 and he's already retired. But going back as mayor, baka ma-busy na naman siya sa kanyang trabaho. So, [nabigyan] kami ng ganitong time na makapag-usap as a father and daughter. [It’s] sad lang that it has to happen inside the detention. There is a good side. But, yes, thank you [kay President Marcos].”

Duterte siblings in the penitentiary

Vice President Duterte arrived at the penitentiary past 1:40 p.m. (The Hague time). Minutes later, her half-sister Veronica “Kitty” and Duterte’s common-law partner Honeylet Avanceña arrived and were seen running towards the prison’s security area. 

This was the first time that three members from the Duterte side visited the former president all at once.

Sara, Kitty, and Honeylet all left the penitentiary and greeted their family’s supporters. 

Kitty clarified to reporters that they ran so they could enter the facility on time and maximize the visit hours.

“I was updating him with the situation with our families and he is happy to hear that we are all doing well, that we are all okay, that we are continuing to pray for him,” Kitty said. “Ngayon, mga positive things lang [ang pinag-uusapan]. We are telling him things that will uplift his spirit and things that will give him strength while he is inside.”

Meanwhile, the vice president said she was “happy” to have Kitty as a sister. 

“I’m happy that I have a sister, kasi mayroon akong pagagalitan. Growing up, wala akong ganon. But mayroon [na] ako ngayon[g] pinagagalitan na kapatid,” Sara said.

“He is really happy to see us. As I have told him, the family has never been more united, not just with us siblings, but with everyone else in the family.”

The vice president said there are plans for the visits of her siblings Paolo and Sebastian, who are both busy with their respective election campaigns. —LDF, GMA Integrated News