Vice President Sara Duterte at The Hague, Netherlands

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte has finally returned to the Philippines following her month-long stay at The Hague, Netherlands to assemble the defense team of her father, former Rodrigo Duterte who was ordered detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.

“Vice President Sara Z. Duterte arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday, 06 April 2025, at approximately 9:56 PM (Philippine Standard Time) via Emirates Airlines flight no. EK 334, following her recently concluded trip to The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands,” the Office of the Vice President said. 

The vice president is “expected to address any pertinent matters in the coming days.” 

The younger Duterte departed for The Hague on March 12, a day after the former president was bundled into a chartered flight off to the international tribunal to face trial for crimes that allegedly took place under his watch both as a local executive and as a president.

During her stay, she served as their family’s primary representative. 

While in the Netherlands, the vice president defended that she is still performing her function as a public official remotely alongside building her father’s legal team. 

She also gave numerous speeches before Filipino communities rallying in front of the Scheveningen Prison where her father awaits trial. 

She arrived at The Hague accompanied by Sen. Robin Padilla and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque who announced his intention to seek political asylum in the foreign country following the arrest warrant issued by the House Quad Committee over supposed links to POGO. 

Days before her departure from the Netherlands, the vice president “ironically” expressed gratitude to President Marcos Jr. for being an instrument to their renewed relationship as father and daughter. 

The vice president is also facing her own legal battle as an impeachment case against her is set to commence after Congress resumes in June. 

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