Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte walk along parts of Manila on Mar. 28, 2025 to call for his return to the Philippines on his 80th birthday. Job Mahanan, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17746650552541743150774497GnG_i6fbgAIJ40B.jpeg-2.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte walk along parts of Manila on Mar. 28, 2025 to call for his return to the Philippines on his 80th birthday. <em>Job Mahanan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday  thanked her father former President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s followers and supporters for their loyalty as she stressed on his birthday that his detention by the International Criminal Court is a matter of national sovereignty.</p><p>In a message, Duterte thanked &quot;groups, volunteers, and the millions of Filipinos here and abroad&quot; who she said organized celebrations for her father&#x27;s birthday.</p><p>&quot;Your loyalty to him is a testament to a leadership that truly prioritized the safety and dignity of every Filipino family,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;But as we celebrate, we also stand firm. The defense of his rights is a defense of our national sovereignty.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/27/duterte-s-defense-team-dismisses-prosecution-concerns-over-confidential-information-0133">Duterte’s defense team dismisses prosecution concerns over confidential information<br/></a></div><p>The Dutertes and their supporters have taken the position that the former president was kidnapped when the Philippine National Police arrested him in March 2025 and transported him to The Hague in the Netherlands.</p><p>The government has said it was fulfilling a commitment to assist the Interpol in serving arrest warrants. </p><p>The ICC&#x27;s Pre-Trial Chamber I held confirmation of charges proceedings last month on crimes against humanity allegations against the elder Duterte related to his bloody but popular &quot;war on drugs&quot; while he was president.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/27/tro-sought-vs-sara-duterte-impeachment-proceedings-1411">Supreme Court asked to issue TRO sought vs Sara Duterte impeachment proceedings<br/></a></div><p>&quot;We must remain vigilant against the weaponization of the law and the unconstitutional intrusion of foreign bodies that seek to bypass our own courts,&quot; Vice President Duterte said.</p><p>&quot;Our justice system must remain independent, serving only the mandate of the Filipino people and never the interests of foreign powers.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>VP DUTERTE ATTENDS PARADA DABAWENYO</strong></div><p>Vice President Duterte also joined the Parada Dabawenyo civic parade on Saturday to culminate the 89th Araw ng Davao, the city’s founding anniversary celebration.</p><p>Traditionally held in mid-March, this year’s parade took place on March 28 to coincide with the former president&#x27;s 81st birthday.</p><p>More than 400 contingents from local government units, educational institutions, organizations, and other sectors participated in the parade, which did away with floats and vehicles because of the fuel crisis.</p><p>Various groups and organizations supporting the Dutertes also joined the parade and called for his release.</p><p>Vice President Duterte and her political allies arrived at San Pedro Square to deliver speeches.</p><p>Among those in her entourage were former Marcos supporter Vic Rodriguez; Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga;  Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Harold Respicio; Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and former Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. <strong>— with Hernel Tocmo</strong></p>

<p>"Your loyalty to him is a testament to a leadership that truly prioritized the safety and dignity of every Filipino family," Vice President Sara Duterte said on her father former President Rodrigo Duterte's birthday.</p>

"Your loyalty to him is a testament to a leadership that truly prioritized the safety and dignity of every Filipino family," Vice President Sara Duterte said on her father former President Rodrigo Duterte's birthday.

On father's birthday, VP Sara thanks Duterte supporters for their loyalty

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On father's birthday, VP Sara thanks Duterte supporters for their loyalty

ABS-CBN News

Published March 28, 2026 10:40 AM PHT

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Updated March 28, 2026 12:08 PM PHT

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Rodrigo Duterte

Sara Duterte

International Criminal Court

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