By Bea Rollo
(April 5, 2025) – Vice Pres. Sara Duterte clarified her recent remark thanking Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr., saying the gratitude was laced with sarcasm— a sentiment she believes the President failed to grasp.
“The sarcasm is lost on him,” VP Sara said in a statement, referring to Pres. Marcos’ reaction to her earlier remarks, which were issued after she visited her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in The Hague, Netherlands.
VP Sara had previously said she was “thankful” for how her relationship with her father had “deepened” in the wake of his detention at ICC.
The clarification comes after Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro shared during an April 3 press briefing that Pres. Marcos had acknowledged the Vice President’s message.
“Glad I could help.” Pres. Marcos responded, according to Undersecretary Castro.
“I think sarcasm is lost on him. Hindi niya siguro ako naiintindihan na ang duty and obligation niya ay para sa bayan, hindi para ayusin ang personal na problema ng mga pamilya,” said VP Sara.
Last Friday, she made a return visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention facility in The Hague, The Netherlands in an effort to see her father. However, the two were only able to speak via phone in what the Vice President described as their “longest conversation” yet.
The call lasted more than 30 minutes, after the ICC allowed them to talk despite the Vice President not being scheduled for an in-person visit. The call was conducted in English and was recorded, as per ICC protocol.
VP Duterte admitted her family was concerned after medicines for the former president sent from the Philippines were not permitted inside the facility. Nonetheless, ICC authorities assured the family that the former president was being properly cared for inside the detention facility.
“He [ex-pres. Duterte] wants to go back to the Philippines. Sabi niya, ‘I am an old man, I can die anytime but I want to die in my country,'” she also shared shared.
“Please extend my thank you. We all hope for the best and everything I did, I did for my country whether that statement is acceptable or not. But everything I did, I did for my country and I want that message out,” said VP Sara, relaying a message from her father to their supporters.
She is expected to return to the Philippines after submitting key legal documents for the defense team representing her father. She emphasized that their trip was privately funded, stating that no donations were accepted and that the family would sell personal belongings if necessary to cover expenses.
“My task [here] is done and well organized. I’m excited to go home, I will just book the travel arrangements.”
(With reports from Mon Gualvez, News5)
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