Aside from issuing written statements, the second-in-line also made her in-person interview with the media.
Outside the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, where ex-President Rodrigo Duterte was held in custody for half a day on Tuesday, March 11, impeached Vice President Sara Duterte aired her sentiments on the matter.
She told that, along with other people part of his father’s entourage, they were not allowed to enter the premises, despite multiple attempts to gain permission to go inside the camp.
Although, VPSD shared that she reached out to FPRRD while he was still inside the base via phone patch.
“Sabi niya, ‘wala tayong magagawa’,” she revealed how the conversation went.
The Veep also noted that she told the ex-prexy some instructions, such as on what to say and do amid the kerfuffle, dispensing advices about legal matters, and to not drink or eat food that will be given to him.
When asked about the 79-year-old former President, the incumbent VP said: “Okay naman.”
GOING TO THE HAGUE, DENIES ASYLUM PLANS
“Yes, meron na pong arrangements kasi kailangan kong kausapin yung mga abogado doon, sa kung saan man siya dalhin. Pupunta kami, ako, at ang mga abogado,” VP Sara confirmed her plan to follow her father to the Netherlands, where the International Criminal Court (ICC) is headquartered.
Although, prior to the departure of the chartered flight, the Vice President remained defiant and believed that the former President should not be brought abroad.
“There’s no legal basis at all to turn over or endorse… the former President to ICC,” she hit back at critics.
“Hindi talaga [maayos],” VPSD called out the procedure of serving the arrest warrant, claiming an ICC rule where the defendant must be brought to a local court first.
Meanwhile, Duterte denied that her father attempted to seek asylum in China, as rumors of his arrest were already swirling during the weekend.
MESSAGE TO PBBM
“Ano pa bang aasahan? ‘Di ba, nagbigay nga siya ng statement na [gagawing] P20 per kilo ang bigas? So ano pa ba ang aasahan natin sa mga statements ng Pangulo?“
That is what Inday Sara said in response to query about her message to incumbent President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.
VP Sara also added that she kept a past written communication with PBBM, where the latter assured her that the Philippines will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court.
However, she said that she did contact the President amid the crisis, but quipped “dating Pangulo na siya [President Marcos] very soon,” after a reporter mistook the names of her father and her former running mate.
Although, VP Duterte did not elaborate on her supposed joke.
“It’s very personal,” she called her family feud with Marcos, adding that this incident and her prior impeachment are “diversions” from the failures of the administration to deliver good governance and public service to the Filipinos.
‘DOORMAT’ COUNTRY
“”Nakikita naman natin kung anong ginagawa nila na panggigipit… Hindi na tayo member ng ICC at noong i-finile ‘yung ICC complaints, out of time na sila. Ni-raise natin ‘yan nang ilang beses [na] wala silang jurisdiction, pero tayo lang sa buong mundo ang bayan o bansa na nag-co-cooperate sa ICC.“
Tha is what she said before sharing that she feels saddened by the situation, where the country is giving one of its citizens to foreigners.
“Nakakalungkot dahil saan ka ba nakahanap ng bayan na ‘yung kanyang citizen mismo ibibigay niya sa dayuhan? Nakakahiya bilang isang Pilipino,” the Vice President continued her tirades.
She also described the Philippines being a “doormat” not just for the ICC, but also for other countries.
“Kung Pilipino kayo, wag kayong pumayag na ang isang Pilipino ay ibigay sa mga dayuhan, lalo na kapag labag na sa batas ‘yun,” calls the arrest as ‘state kidnapping.’
Lastly, she shared that her mother warned her about being the next target of the ICC, “Mag-ingat ka, baka ikaw ang susunod.”