On September 22, 2025, the Philippines found itself in the global spotlight once again, as new developments emerged concerning former President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity. The latest twist? Vice President Sara Duterte announced that a yet-unnamed country has agreed to host her father for a possible interim release, a move that could mark a significant shift in the ongoing legal and diplomatic saga surrounding the former leader.
According to ABS-CBN, the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, this potential arrangement is the result of ongoing discussions following Duterte’s arrest in Manila last March. The former president was brought to the Netherlands after being apprehended on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has been investigating his controversial war on drugs during his time in office. The campaign, which drew both fierce criticism and fervent support domestically and internationally, has now landed him in an international legal battle with far-reaching consequences for Philippine politics and global justice.
Vice President Sara Duterte, speaking to Filipinos in Tokyo on September 20, shed light on her father’s state of mind amid these tumultuous times. "He got worried about events in the Philippines, about corruption," she shared in her speech, referencing a phone call she received from her father just the day before. The elder Duterte, despite his detention far from home, remains deeply invested in the fate of his country. "He did not like the news of what was happening in the Philippines," she added, alluding to reports of massive corruption that have surfaced in recent weeks.
The vice president’s remarks painted a picture of a family, and a nation, grappling with uncertainty. She revealed that her younger sister, Veronica, has taken on the task of compiling daily reports for their father. "She writes what is happening, what is on the news, what is happening to the family, and she sends it to the lawyer, and the lawyer, in turn, shows it to former president Rodrigo Duterte," Sara Duterte explained. It’s a small but poignant window into how the Duterte family is coping with the separation and the scrutiny, using every available channel to keep the former president informed and connected to home.
For many Filipinos, the news that another country may be willing to host Duterte during his interim release is both surprising and fraught with implications. The details of the arrangement remain under wraps, but the announcement has already sparked debate across the political spectrum. Some see it as a humanitarian gesture, a way to ensure the former president’s rights are respected while the legal process unfolds. Others worry it could complicate the ICC’s proceedings or be used as a political tool at home, where Duterte’s legacy is as polarizing as ever.
According to reports from ABS-CBN, the ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s drug war has been ongoing for years, focusing on allegations that his administration’s anti-drug campaign led to widespread human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings. Duterte, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, has maintained that his policies were aimed at protecting Filipinos from the scourge of illegal drugs. His supporters argue that he brought much-needed order to the country, while critics and human rights groups contend that his methods crossed legal and moral lines.
The former president’s arrest in Manila last March was a watershed moment for the Philippines and for international justice. The warrant from the ICC signaled the court’s determination to pursue accountability for alleged crimes committed by sitting or former heads of state, a stance that has drawn both praise and criticism. Some international observers see it as a necessary step toward upholding human rights, while others question the ICC’s reach and effectiveness, especially in cases involving powerful political figures.
Back in the Philippines, news of Duterte’s detention and the possibility of his interim release has added another layer of complexity to an already volatile political landscape. Vice President Sara Duterte, who has often walked a careful line between supporting her father and charting her own political path, now finds herself at the center of a high-stakes drama. Her comments in Tokyo suggest a mix of personal concern and political calculation, as she seeks to reassure supporters while addressing the broader challenges facing the country.
The reports of corruption that so alarmed the former president are hardly new, but their impact is magnified by the current climate of uncertainty. For many Filipinos, the specter of corruption remains a persistent threat to progress and stability. Duterte’s own presidency was marked by promises to root out graft and restore order, but critics argue that his tough-on-crime approach sometimes overshadowed deeper systemic issues.
The daily updates prepared by Veronica Duterte underscore the family’s determination to keep the former president engaged and informed, even from afar. It’s a reminder that, for all the legal and political maneuvering, there are human stories at the heart of these events—stories of worry, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family.
As the Philippines waits for more details about the possible interim release and the identity of the host country, questions abound. Will this move ease tensions at home, or stoke further controversy? How will the ICC respond, and what does it mean for the future of international justice? For now, the answers remain elusive, but the stakes could hardly be higher.
What’s clear is that the saga of Rodrigo Duterte continues to captivate and divide the Philippines. His fate, and the fate of the legal proceedings against him, will likely shape the country’s political discourse for months, if not years, to come. As Vice President Sara Duterte and her family navigate these turbulent waters, their actions—and the world’s response—will be watched closely by allies and adversaries alike.
In the end, the story of Duterte’s possible interim release is about more than just legal proceedings or political maneuvering. It’s about the struggle for justice, the complexities of leadership, and the enduring quest for truth and accountability in a changing world.