SENATOR Imee Marcos, a staunch ally of the Duterte family, was denied permission by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to visit former president Rodrigo Duterte at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague.
This was revealed by Vice President Sara Duterte in a video interview released by her office.
The Vice President, along with her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, visited the former president on the eve of her birthday, coinciding with a planned gathering of Filipino supporters advocating for Duterte’s release.
During the visit, the Vice President relayed to her father that Senator Marcos had been present but unable to see him due to the ICC’s restrictions. She emphasized that Senator Marcos’s presence was solely for a meeting with the former president’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, and that she had no involvement in the ongoing case against Duterte.
The Vice President’s account details a brief but emotional reunion. She shared news of the recent election victories of several allies, including Senator-elect Camille Villar and Senator Imee Marcos, with her father.
The visit, originally scheduled for a longer duration, was shortened due to a 30-minute delay, lasting only an hour. A humorous detail emerged when the Vice President revealed that she brought her father a can of Coke Zero, which he decided to save for later. The overall tone of the Vice President’s account suggests a close family bond and unwavering support for the former president, despite the legal challenges he faces.
The incident highlights the complexities surrounding Duterte’s imprisonment and the ongoing international legal proceedings.
The ICC’s decision to bar Senator Marcos from visiting raises questions about the nature of the restrictions placed upon Duterte and the potential political implications.
While the Vice President insists Senator Marcos had no role in the case, the senator’s presence in The Hague and her previous support for Duterte undoubtedly adds another layer to the already intricate situation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the high-stakes political drama unfolding around the former president’s legal battle.
