Vice President Sara Duterte urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against attempts to manipulate the law for political purposes, marking the first anniversary of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague.
In a video message, Duterte said her father’s detention highlights the importance of protecting justice from exploitation.
“Ang anibersaryong ito ay isang panawagan para sa ating lahat na manatiling mapagmatyag. Kailangang manatiling malaya, tapat, at matatag ang ating mga institusyon laban sa anumang pagsubok na baluktutin ang hustisya,” she said.
She warned that irregular legal processes not only undermine justice but also threaten national sovereignty.
“Ang pagyurak sa karapatan ng isang indibidwal sa pamamagitan ng mga iregular na proseso ay hindi lamang pag-atake sa katarungan; ito ay hamon sa ating pambansang soberanya,” Duterte added.
Emphasizing due process, she called for the protection of constitutional rights and national institutions free from external interference.
“Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang isang Pilipinas kung saan ang batas ay kalasag ng katarungan at ang ating soberanya ay iginagalang ng lahat,” she said.
Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in the Philippines on March 11, 2025, under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court and transferred to The Hague to face charges related to alleged extrajudicial killings during his anti-drug campaign.
The anniversary has renewed debates on accountability, sovereignty, and the role of international institutions in addressing human rights concerns.