Vice President Sara Duterte has provided an update on her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, revealing he spent a generally "okay" Christmas while detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) facility in The Hague, Netherlands.
Family Communication Amidst Detention
The Vice President shared this personal news with reporters in Davao City on December 25, 2025, during the annual Pasko Pahalipay sa Taal event. This long-running Christmas tradition, held at the Duterte family's ancestral home in Central Park Subdivision, Bangkal, has been a fixture since Rodrigo Duterte's time as mayor.
"Okay lang naman yung Christmas niya kahapon, December 24," Duterte stated. She explained that one of her siblings, Kitty, was able to visit the former president in person at the detention center. The Vice President also showed reporters a video call with Kitty to relay a holiday message from her father.
While she was not physically in The Hague, Sara Duterte emphasized that family communication has remained constant. She expressed mixed emotions about the situation, stating it was saddening that her father is in detention but she was grateful for the opportunity to speak with him regularly.
Emotional Toll and Daily Conversations
The Vice President spoke candidly about the emotional impact of her father's legal situation, particularly during the holiday season. This marks the first Christmas the former leader has spent outside the Philippines following his arrest in March in connection with the ICC case.
"Madaming araw na nagkausap kami ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. At masaya ako dahil nabigyan kami ng ganyan na pagkakataon," she said.
She detailed that they have been granted one-on-one conversations lasting about an hour and a half each day. These extended talks have been a crucial coping mechanism for the family during this challenging period.
Massive Turnout for Duterte Family Tradition
The Pasko Pahalipay sa Taal event itself demonstrated the enduring public connection to the Duterte family. Based on estimates from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), approximately 45,000 beneficiaries received gifts during the activity held along Ulas Road leading to Taal Street in NHA Bangkal.
Vice President Duterte personally greeted supporters and beneficiaries, continuing the tradition started during her father's mayoralty. Each beneficiary received:
- Food packs containing rice and canned goods
- A P300 gift certificate
- P200 in cash
The gathering maintained a festive atmosphere, with many attendees expressing solidarity with the family. The event's scale underscores the continued public interest despite the former president's ongoing international legal proceedings, which could have significant implications for his legacy and the Philippines' relationship with global justice mechanisms.
