DAVAO CITY — In a charged political moment that blends family loyalty, legal controversy, and the long shadow of a presidency that reshaped Philippine politics, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte stepped before the media to address questions surrounding his father’s detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC). What followed was not merely a press briefing—it was a window into a political dynasty under pressure, a family navigating legal turbulence abroad, and a nation still divided over the legacy of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The mayor’s remarks came after a visit to his father in detention in The Hague, where the former president is being held pending proceedings related to alleged crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s war on drugs. Accompanying the mayor in Davao during recent public events were members of the Duterte family, including Vice President Sara Duterte and other close relatives, underscoring the deeply personal dimension of what has become an international legal battle.
What unfolded in the press exchange was a mix of defiance, frustration, and calculated restraint. And at the center of it all was the ICC—an institution Mayor Duterte openly declared he does not trust.
A Visit Behind Detention Walls
Mayor Duterte described his visit with his father in simple, almost intimate terms. Inside the detention unit, he said, politics was not the dominant topic of conversation. Instead, they spoke about family—grandchildren, everyday life, and the small details that sustain emotional connection when larger forces feel uncontrollable.
“You don’t talk about those things inside detention,” he remarked when asked whether they discussed the case. “You talk about everyday life.”
The former president, he added, appeared subdued—understandably so. The psychological impact of detention, the mayor suggested, would weigh heavily on anyone.
“If you’re put in a detention unit, you get depressed,” he said. “It’s not the food. It’s the situation.”
That statement—quiet and stripped of rhetoric—may have been one of the most revealing moments of the press conference. Beyond the arguments about jurisdiction and procedure lies the human reality of confinement, even for a former head of state.
Due Process and Distrust
But it was when discussion turned to the ICC itself that the mayor’s tone sharpened.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under Duterte’s presidency. However, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.
Mayor Duterte questioned both the legitimacy and procedural handling of his father’s transfer to the Netherlands.
“There should have been a proper way,” he said. “He was supposed to go to the local courts. None of that was followed.”
He framed the situation as one of broken protocol and foreign overreach, suggesting that if the institution were truly honorable, it would return the former president to the Philippines and allow local judicial processes to unfold.
This critique taps into a broader narrative long advanced by Duterte allies: that international mechanisms are being used to interfere in domestic affairs. The mayor even pointed to tensions between the ICC and other global powers, referencing sanctions imposed in past years by the United States against ICC officials in separate disputes.
“I do not trust this thing that you call the ICC,” he declared.
A Divided Narrative
The press exchange highlighted a stark divide between two competing narratives: one that frames the ICC investigation as a pursuit of accountability for thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, and another that sees it as politically motivated intervention.
Mayor Duterte characterized the proceedings as a battle of stories.
“It’s my word against yours and yours against mine,” he said.
He argued that many of those involved in the complaints are politically aligned with left-leaning groups or were adversaries of his father’s administration. He suggested that what critics describe as human rights violations could also be interpreted as consequences of aggressive anti-crime policies.
“It started with romanticizing what could have just been a result of the policies enforced during his administration,” he said.
In that sentence lies the core tension: Was the drug war a necessary, if harsh, campaign against narcotics? Or did it cross the line into systematic abuse?
The ICC proceedings seek to answer that question in a legal forum. But in the Philippines, the debate remains deeply political and emotionally charged.
The Marcos Factor
Questions also arose about the current administration under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Though the mayor avoided direct confrontation, subtle criticism surfaced.
He noted that discussions with his father included talk about the recent midterm elections and results in Davao City, where Duterte allies have traditionally enjoyed strong support.
When pressed about the Marcos administration, the mayor downplayed any in-depth discussion but hinted at political friction.
“Davao is okay if we elect a good president,” he said pointedly, adding that leadership must be “of sound mind.”
While not launching an outright attack, the implication was clear: relations between the Marcos administration and the Duterte camp are strained.
The arrest and transfer of the former president to ICC custody—though executed through international channels—has fueled speculation among Duterte supporters that political motivations are at play domestically.
2028 and Political Futures
As always in Philippine politics, the future hovers close behind the present. The 2028 presidential election looms large, and Vice President Sara Duterte remains a central figure.
Supporters have openly floated her as a potential presidential candidate. During the broader political commentary surrounding the mayor’s remarks, some voices urged Filipinos to rally behind the Dutertes in future elections.
Mayor Duterte himself, however, dismissed speculation about seeking higher office.
“Why would I?” he responded when asked about a potential run beyond Davao.
He emphasized that politicians are not the best judges of their own governance, suggesting that public sentiment should be the true metric.
“If you want empirical data, ask the people,” he said. “Do not ask the politicians because the politicians will always promote themselves.”
Yet in Philippine politics, even denials often function as placeholders rather than final answers.
The Senate and Other Figures
The conversation briefly turned to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief and a key architect of the drug war. Rumors have circulated that ICC action could extend to other officials involved in anti-drug operations.
Mayor Duterte declined to comment extensively, stating he had not spoken with the senator. But underlying anxiety was evident in the broader discussion: if the ICC proceeds aggressively, could others face similar legal jeopardy?
The possibility reinforces the sense that the case is not merely about one man but about an entire chapter of governance.
Family First
Despite the political and legal complexities, much of the mayor’s message centered on family solidarity.
He described the Dutertes’ birthday traditions as simple, brushing off past criticisms about celebratory gatherings. He noted that family visits to The Hague are arranged carefully, balancing public duties in Davao with personal commitments abroad.
In one lighthearted exchange, he joked with a reporter from ABS-CBN, an organization his father once clashed with publicly. The moment offered a fleeting sense of normalcy amid otherwise weighty discussion.
Through it all, the mayor repeatedly expressed gratitude to supporters.
“All I care about is my gratitude to people who are supporting my father,” he said. “Those who believe in him.”
That belief remains strong in Davao and among many Filipinos who credit Duterte’s presidency with improving security and confronting entrenched criminality. For others, however, the ICC case represents a long-awaited reckoning.
The Broader Stakes
The ICC proceedings against a former Philippine president are unprecedented. They test not only international legal mechanisms but also domestic political resilience.
If the court confirms charges and proceeds to trial, the Philippines will face sustained global scrutiny. If the case falters, critics will question whether accountability mechanisms can truly hold powerful leaders responsible.
Meanwhile, at home, the Duterte name remains potent. The family occupies multiple political positions, commands loyal grassroots networks, and maintains a narrative of resistance against what they characterize as external interference.
The mayor’s remarks reflect that posture: skepticism toward international institutions, confidence in popular support, and readiness for a prolonged political struggle.
“We’re always prepared,” he said.
A Nation at a Crossroads
In many ways, the press conference captured a Philippines still wrestling with the legacy of its recent past.
The Duterte presidency reshaped law enforcement, foreign policy, and political rhetoric. It left behind fervent supporters and determined critics. Now, as legal proceedings unfold thousands of miles away in The Hague, the debate over that era enters a new phase.
Is the ICC case a necessary pursuit of justice, or an intrusion into sovereignty? Are the allegations of systematic abuses substantiated, or politically exaggerated? Can legal accountability coexist with political loyalty?
These questions extend beyond one family.
As Mayor Baste Duterte concluded his remarks, he urged supporters to express their convictions through the ballot.
“If you saw something you want to continue,” he said, “you can manifest this through votes.”
In that statement lies the enduring reality of Philippine democracy: whatever happens in The Hague, the ultimate arena remains at home.
And for now, the story is far from over.
