Ex-president’s daughter slams ICC for ‘meddling’ in Philippines’ affairs

Sara Duterte has called on the International Criminal Court to release her father, Rodrigo Duterte

Sara Duterte, the daughter of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, has condemned the International Criminal Court (ICC) for “meddling” in her country’s politics. She has demanded that it drop all charges and release her father.

Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March 2025, six years after the Philippines exited the ICC, at Manila’s international airport. He was extradited to The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign, which some Western organizations claim led to extrajudicial killings. Duterte has denied the accusations, calling his arrest unlawful.

“The ICC is meddling in our country’s affairs,” Sara Duterte, currently the vice president, said at the ‘Free Duterte Now’ event at The Hague on Saturday. “They also meddle in our governance, because they have an agenda... They intervene in how the Filipinos govern the Philippines.”

The ICC has asserted jurisdiction over the case, arguing that the alleged crimes occurred while the Philippines was still a signatory from 2011-2019.

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Critics say the court has no right to act post-withdrawal, and accuse it of selectively targeting developing countries. The ICC has faced criticism for having a perceived neo-colonial bias and serving Western interests rather than applying universal justice.

In her speech, Sara Duterte dismissed key witnesses in her father’s case as mentally unstable, calling his main accuser, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a man with “loose bolts.” She also labeled President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “drug-addled,” accusing his administration of colluding with the ICC and funding “fake witnesses.”

She reiterated her call to “dismiss the case of President Duterte and bring him back to the Philippines.” Duterte earlier told RT that the case is politically motivated, timed to derail her father’s efforts to support senatorial candidates who are critical of Marcos.

READ MORE: ICC is used to pressure ‘neo-colonies’ – expert

Sara Duterte currently faces impeachment on charges ranging from misuse of public funds to plotting to assassinate Marcos. If convicted, she could be removed from office and banned from public service for life. She has denied all charges, calling the process an attempt to block her from running in the 2028 presidential race.