Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks to Filipinos in Melbourne, Australia
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President told the Filipinos in Melbourne to convince the Australian government to probe the alleged injustice against her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The Office of the Vice President previously confirmed the travel of Vice Pres. Duterte to Australia. It came shortly after the OVP held the 2025 Pasidungog wherein the Vice President addressed several questions including the budget that the office plans to seek from the national government for 2026.
Malacañang reacted to the recent travels of Duterte saying that it is the choice of the Vice President if she prefers to travel. According to Palace press undersecretary Claire Castro, what the Vice President is probably violating with her frequent travels abroad is her obligation to the Filipino people.
In Australia, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was expected to join the rally organized by the Filipino community abroad to call for the release of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The former Chief Executive is detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands for over 100 days now.
Former Pres. Duterte was arrested by the Philippine authorities last March 11 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon his arrival from Hong Kong. On the same day, he was flown en route to The Hague via Dubai after detention of several hours at Villamor Air Base.
The former President is faced with an allegation of crimes against humanity over his administration’s war on drugs. He repeatedly stressed that everything he did during his term as president was for the country and the Filipino people.
Recently, at the “Free Duterte Now” rally in Melbourne, Australia, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte gave an almost 2-hour speech. Based on a report on Manila Standard, she claimed that the ICC has no jurisdiction and the arrest of her father as well as the transfer of his custody did not pass by the legal process.
At the event, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte urged the Filipinos in Melbourne to convince the government in Australia to look into the case and the alleged “injustice” done to former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte by the International Criminal Court.
“You convince the government of Australia — because Australia is a member of the ICC — to look into the case of President Duterte and the injustice that he is receiving, that he has been getting from the ICC,” the Vice President said.
Based on the report, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte told the Filipinos to ‘come together and come up with a position paper’ and talk to the Australian government. She also convinced the supporters of the former President to bring the case to the local media in Australia as well as to the global community through their social media accounts.
Prior to Australia, Vice Pres. Duterte has been to Qatar, The Netherlands, and Malaysia — all in less than a month. In Malaysia, the Vice President joined a Philippine Independence Day celebration with the Filipino community. Senators Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos who are senator judges in her impeachment process were also present.
At the event, Sen. Robin Padilla also claimed that he will be the campaign manager of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte and Sen. Imee Marcos in the 2028 Elections. He campaigned for the tandem.