Can Duterte come home temporarily? Legal paths explored for ICC release

National

CAN former president Rodrigo Duterte return to the Philippines—at least temporarily—while awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

According to Vice President Sara Duterte, the former leader is now looking into Dutch domestic laws as a possible legal path to secure interim release from detention in The Hague.

In a video message released by her office, the Vice President shared that the idea was first suggested by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

“I can do that while I’m back in the Philippines; I will work on it online,” she said.

Sara and her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, visited Duterte on May 30 in The Hague—their second visit since his May 11 arrest. She said they spoke for about 90 minutes, during which she updated him on matters already in the public domain, including their legal team’s efforts to challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction and invoke provisions under the Rome Statute to request interim release.

The former president was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and flown to the ICC headquarters within hours to face charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

During their conversation, Duterte asked about family members, including Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte and his youngest daughter, Kitty. Sara said her father proudly mentioned seeing a billboard of Kitty in Manila. He also asked Zimmerman, his former wife, if she still knew Honeylet Avanceña, his longtime partner. Zimmerman replied that she did. Avanceña was expected to arrive in The Hague the following day.

Duterte reportedly remains in stable condition and good spirits. When asked whether he had trouble sleeping, he quipped that sometimes he can't sleep because he thinks of Zimmerman. Sara remarked that his signature charm “with beautiful women” hasn’t faded.

Sara also recounted telling her father about a rally held in The Hague on May 31—her 47th birthday—organized by supporters calling for Duterte’s release. The event featured speeches by Davao Vice Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte, Senators Imee Marcos and Robin Padilla, senator-elect Dante Marcoleta, Roque, and attorney Vic Rodriguez.

“It was mixed feelings as we gathered because President Duterte is detained, but I am so happy as Filipinos gathered for a single cause and that is requesting ICC to send PRRD home,” she said in a Philstar report.(MyTVCebu)