Vice President Sara Duterte said their family has decided not to accept donations to fund the legal team of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, or for the family’s expenses while they were at The Hague.
“Iyon din po ang napag-usapan namin magkakapatid na hindi tumanggap ng donation at hindi humingi ng tulong,” she told reporters in The Hague.
“Meron namang trabaho lahat. Si Honeylet ay mayroong mga negosyo. Ako meron akong trabaho, may sweldo ako. Meron din akong other income na tinatawag. Ang aking kapatid na si Congressman Pulong ay meron ding trabaho. Meron ding sweldo si Mayor Baste,” she explained.
The Vice President also said she is now preparing for her return to the Philippines as she has already completed her tasks in The Hague, where she has been staying for almost a month, supporting her father who is confined at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention facility.
Duterte said her father’s legal and personal needs were already addressed.
“Tapos na yung trabaho ko dito,” she said.
“Yung kita ninyo kanina, pinasok ko na naka-green na envelope. ‘Yun ‘yung huling-huling document na hinihingi sa akin galing sa ICC Detention Unit,” she added.
According to the Vice President, the family has already made arrangements as their father remains under ICC custody.
“There is already a system for the family with regard to the visiting here in the detention unit,” she said.
“I’m excited to go home. I’ll just book the travel arrangements to go home,” she added.
Duterte’s sister Veronica, and her mother, Honeylet, are currently in The Hague with the Vice President. Her brother, Congressman Paolo Duterte, will arrive soon, followed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
The Vice President has been at The Hague since March 12, a day after the former president was arrested in Manila and was surrendered to the ICC for crimes against humanity.
Former President Duterte first appeared before the ICC for a pre-trial hearing on March 14. His confirmation of charges hearing is set for Sept. 23.
MEDICAL PLAN
According to the Vice President, the older Duterte is getting medical attention while in detention.
“There is a doctor supervising his medical plan,” she confirmed.
“Her visits are frequent with President Duterte because of his age,” she added.
Despite concerns about the availability of specific medications, Vice President Duterte expressed trust in the medical professionals in the Netherlands.
“We just have to trust them that they are professionals, ‘no? At alam nila kung anong ginagawa nila,” she said. (Argyll Cyrus Geducos)
