Geline Salac

'He burns in the bluest of blue': Kitty Duterte blasts dad's critics

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Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZmnBRAOlWJI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Veronica, recited the Victorian-era poem “Invictus” before her father’s supporters on Wednesday, hours after the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided with finality that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/22/icc-upholds-jurisdiction-over-duterte-case-1735">it has jurisdiction</a> over the crimes against humanity charges filed against the Philippines’ 16th President.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cP2-s510bTE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>The younger Duterte declined to answer questions, including queries about former Sen. Antonio Trillanes’ recent claim that their family allegedly received hundreds of millions in payoffs from alleged drug lord Samuel Uy. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hoCv-Ogu8_s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>However, she told her father’s critics they will not win against the country’s first Mindanaoan President.</p><p>“Do not be fools and think he will die with his body. He burns in the bluest of blue through Congressman Pulong Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, Mayor Baste Duterte, and through me who is nobody yet, just his Kitty,” she told supporters after visiting her father, who remains in detention.</p><p>&quot;Remember this: No matter how much you hate PRRD, there will always be someone — no, scratch that — there will always be millions who love him just as much or even more,” she said.</p><p>“If you think you will win, no, you will not because either way, invictus,” she added.</p><p>The younger Duterte earlier said her dad referred to the short English poem when asked what thoughts he wanted to share with the public after their camp lost its jurisdiction challenge, which would result in his continues detention in the Netherlands.</p><p>“I will not be answering any questions for today but I will be relaying a message,” Veronica said, noting that she did not discuss with her father what happened during the Appeals Chamber proceedings.</p><p>“Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul,” Veronica said, quoting lines from the poem.</p><p>“And he did tell me to emphasize this part: ‘I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,’” she said.</p><p>Veronica’s statement comes hours after the ICC’s Appeals Chamber dismissed all 4 grounds for appeal that Duterte’s defense team presented before the panel of 5 jurists.</p><p>Lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman earlier said that he expected the ICC to retain its jurisdiction over Duterte, claiming that the international tribunal sees the former Philippine President as a “big catch” in keeping the chamber afloat as it faces an “existential crisis.”</p><p>The ICC has yet to comment on Kaufman’s assertions.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mbXe0tim504?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Veronica, recited the Victorian-era poem “Invictus” before her father’s supporters on Wednesday.</p>

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Veronica, recited the Victorian-era poem “Invictus” before her father’s supporters on Wednesday.

After ICC quashes Duterte jurisdiction appeal, daughter Kitty tells critics: ‘If you think you will win, you won't’

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After ICC quashes Duterte jurisdiction appeal, daughter Kitty tells critics: ‘If you think you will win, you won't’

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 23, 2026 07:33 AM PHT

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Updated April 23, 2026 02:41 PM PHT

Read More:

kitty duterte

Rodrigo Duterte

Veronica Duterte

ICC

International Criminal Court

jurisdiction challenge

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