VP Duterte after dad’s arrest: ‘Move on from what happened’
Metro Manila, Philippines - Vice President Sara Duterte said the country should move forward after her father and former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and is facing a looming trial at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
In a virtual press briefing on Thursday, March 20, Duterte said it is “pointless” to harbor any feelings about what happened, admitting that her father may no longer return to the Philippines.
“Hindi siya (Duterte) maibabalik sa Pilipinas. So what we should do as a country is move on from what happened. What will we do as our ways forward as a country and as a people from what happened. Magalit man tayo, walang mapupuntahan ‘yung galit natin dahil hindi naman ‘yan sila pananagutin ng pamahalaan,” she said.
[Translation: He (Duterte) cannot be brought back to the Philippines. So what we should do as a country is move on from what happened. What will we do as our way forward as a country and as a people from what happened? Even if we get angry, our anger will lead us nowhere because the government will not hold them accountable anyway.]
Duterte said she and her father’s lawyers will find ways to bring back the former president home.
The vice president also said she cannot return yet to the Philippines as she is still waiting for Duterte’s legal team to be completed.
“Multitasking ako. Nandito ako as vice president, ginagawa ng paraan paano maibalik ang ating dating pangulo sa ating bayan. Nagtatrabaho ako through our satellite offices, through our central office of the office of the Vice President…wala po akong balak na tumira dito sa the Netherlands,” she said, noting that her return ticket is set for April.
[Translation: I’m multitasking. I’m here as vice president, finding ways to bring our former president back to our country. I’m working through our satellite offices and central office...I have no intention of living here in the Netherlands]
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro previously reminded Duterte to fulfil her duties as the second highest official after following her father to the Netherlands.
Impeachment trial preparations
Meanwhile, Duterte said preparations for her looming impeachment trial are underway.
She said her team is preparing witnesses and rebuttals to the Articles of Impeachment.
“So fortunately that team is not involved in the ICC case as a support group of lawyers for the ICC case of President Duterte so that they can focus on my impeachment case,” she said.
“So it will not matter if President Duterte is not anymore in the legal team because there are other lawyers there as well working on the impeachment case,” the vice president added.
Senate President Chiz Escudero earlier said the impeachment trial may begin in July – after the fourth State of the Nation Address and once new senators are elected.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February over supposed graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, among others, mainly due to her controversial budget spending as vice president and former education chief.
