Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that they are still finalizing a shortlist for a Filipino lawyer to join the defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Earlier, the VP stated that a Filipino lawyer would be part of Duterte’s five-member core defense team as they needed someone “who can argue regarding Philippine laws.”
“There is no Filipino lawyer yet as of now. We are making the shortlist right now,” VP Sara said in an ambush interview on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines).
According to the younger Duterte, she is still in the process of assembling her father’s legal team.
Once all lawyers are cleared by the ICC and officially appointed, she intends to return to the Philippines. The Vice President said she is working on ‘getting papers for the other lawyers,’ among other things.
The Vice President also revealed that her siblings, including Veronica, their mother, and Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, are set to arrive soon—likely in time for the former President’s birthday on March 28.
As for the celebration, VP Sara suggested a simple gathering with Filipino supporters abroad, opting for an informal “picnic” rather than a formal event.
“My suggestion to them (supporters) is maybe we can have a picnic, if you want. There will be no program, so we would not have to ask permission. Because it’s not going to be a rally, it’s not a protest, it’s just a birthday picnic,” she said.