Sara Duterte Denies Claims of Father Rody's Imminent Return Home

Vice President Sara Duterte has firmly denied claims circulating on social media that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, will be released from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and return home next week. The confusion reportedly arose from a misinterpretation of remarks she made to a Filipino community in London. During a recent address in London, Sara Duterte stated, "Sa susunod na pagpapasalamat, makikita ko po siya sa susunod na linggo. Mahal nating lahat at inaantay nating lahat ang kanyang paglabas at pag-uwi sa Pilipinas!" (In the next thanksgiving, I will see him next week. We all love him and we are all waiting for his release and return to the Philippines!). This statement was met with chants of "Bring him home!" from the audience. However, some supporters of the former president misinterpreted her words, leading to widespread social media posts claiming that "Tatay Digong" (a nickname for Rodrigo Duterte) would be released next week. One such post on Facebook on July 26 garnered over 249,000 reactions, 9,600 shares, and 15,100 comments. Addressing these claims in an interview on July 28, the Vice President clarified, "Wala akong sinabi doon sa speech ko na lalabas si PRRD next week" (I did not say in my speech that PRRD will be released next week). She added, "Hindi ko alam kung saan nagsimula ‘yung ganon, pero definitely, wala doon sa transcript na nagsabi ako na lalabas na si PRRD sa ICC or lalabas na si PRRD next week." (I don't know where that started, but definitely, it's not in the transcript that I said PRRD will be released from the ICC or PRRD will be released next week). Sara Duterte further explained that the ICC website shows no schedule for a release hearing, only for the trial proper. "Dahil alam naman natin lahat at nakikita natin sa ICC website ‘yung schedule ng kanyang kaso at kung makikita natin, na walang schedule ng hearing ng release. At ang meron lang scheduled ay ‘yung kanyang trial proper," she stated. Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been detained by the ICC at its Detention Center in The Hague, Netherlands, since March 12, 2025. He faces three counts of crimes against humanity for murder and attempted murder in connection with his administration's "War on Drugs" campaign. His trial is scheduled to commence on November 16, 2026. His daughter, Sara, and other family members have been frequent visitors during his detention.