Vice President Sara Duterte disclosed that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, persistently asks when he can return to the Philippines, as he intends to run for Davao City mayor in the upcoming midterm elections.
Speaking at a meet-and-greet event with Filipinos in The Hague, Netherlands, on Sunday, she admitted warning him about the risks of coming home, comparing his potential fate to that of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
“Sinabi ko din sa kanya ‘yon, ‘Pa, ‘yung kagustuhan mo na umuwi, iyan din ‘yung katapusan ng buhay mo—magiging Ninoy Aquino Jr. ka,” she said.
Despite the warning, Duterte remains resolute, saying he will accept his fate as long as he can set foot in the country again.
Meanwhile, his legal team is working on possible remedies to secure his release before the next International Criminal Court (ICC) hearing scheduled for September 2025.
In response, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro disputed these assertions, emphasizing that any claims of threats should be substantiated with evidence. Castro also highlighted that the former president had previously compared himself to Adolf Hitler, not to Ninoy Aquino.
“Napakalayo po na ipagkumpara ang sarili o ikumpara ang dating Pangulong Duterte kay Ninoy Aquino na hindi nagkaroon ng anumang record ng mass murder or crimes against humanity. Mas ninais po ni dating Pangulong Duterte na ikumpara ang sarili niya kay Hitler.”
