Vice President Sara Duterte revealed that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has undergone a significant physical transformation during his stay in The Hague, Netherlands, where he is currently detained. According to her, the ex-leader has become notably thinner—so much so that even those closest to him may not immediately recognize his current appearance.
During a media interaction, Vice President Duterte shared her personal observations from her recent visit to see her father. “Yes, PRRD has really slimmed down,” she said, referring to her father by his initials, a common reference to the former president. “When I say he’s skin and bones, I really mean it. He’s become extremely thin, thinner than I’ve ever seen him—even compared to how he looked when he was still a young man. Maybe the only time I saw him this slim was through old photographs from his youth.”
She went on to describe in vivid terms how the former president’s body has changed over the course of his detention. “His arms are so thin now—they’re half the size of mine. That gives you a picture of how much weight he’s lost,” she said.
Sara Duterte, who flew to The Hague to personally check on her father’s condition, provided a personal take on his current state. Despite the stark difference in appearance, she pointed out that she doesn’t necessarily see the weight loss as entirely negative.
“To be honest, I think he looks better now than when he had a large stomach. When someone has too much belly fat, it often looks unhealthy, especially for someone of his age. It’s something that always made me worry about his heart and general health,” she said. “So, seeing him slim now—even if it’s a result of difficult circumstances—he actually looks a bit healthier to me.”
The Vice President’s comments were released via a video distributed by the Office of the Vice President. In the clip, she appeared composed but clearly concerned about her father’s wellbeing. She emphasized that this was the first time in decades that she saw her father in such a frail condition, bringing attention not only to his physical changes but also subtly highlighting the emotional weight of the situation.
Rodrigo Duterte, known for his tough-guy image and iron-fisted leadership style, served as the 16th President of the Philippines. His presidency was marked by controversial policies, particularly his war on illegal drugs, which drew international attention and criticism. His current detention in The Hague stems from ongoing legal proceedings tied to human rights-related issues during his time in office.
While Sara did not delve into the specifics of her father’s legal situation, her visit and subsequent public remarks appear to serve a dual purpose—both as a gesture of familial support and as a way to give the public a glimpse of Duterte’s condition far from home.
This moment also highlights the human side of a figure often associated with fiery speeches and political boldness. For many Filipinos, hearing about Duterte’s physical transformation may come as a surprise, considering how he once projected strength and resilience even during his toughest battles in government.
Observers note that Sara Duterte’s statements may also be part of a broader strategy to humanize her father in the eyes of the public, especially at a time when international legal scrutiny continues to grow. By focusing on his health and the visible toll that incarceration has taken, the Vice President draws attention to his vulnerability—perhaps eliciting sympathy from supporters and detractors alike.
It’s also worth noting that family support remains strong despite the legal troubles surrounding the elder Duterte. Sara, who once served as mayor of Davao City like her father, has steadily carved out her own place in national politics. Her visit could be viewed not only as a daughter’s gesture of care but also as a political statement of loyalty.
In her remarks, she stopped short of making any political declarations or direct criticisms regarding the international proceedings. However, her focus on her father’s condition subtly underscores the difficulties he is facing behind closed doors, far from his homeland.
Whether or not her comments will have any influence on public perception or the ongoing international process remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Duterte family remains tightly knit, navigating this chapter with a mix of personal concern and quiet resilience.
The former president’s supporters online were quick to react, expressing sympathy and concern for his health, with many echoing the Vice President’s sentiment that he still looks dignified despite the physical changes.
In the Philippines, where image and legacy remain crucial to any public figure’s place in history, Sara Duterte’s public acknowledgment of her father’s deteriorating health could signal an attempt to shape the narrative surrounding his current state. By emphasizing his leanness as a positive health shift rather than a sign of weakness, she offers a reframed perspective of what many might otherwise view as a negative consequence of detention.
Yet, behind the reassurances and optimistic tone lies an undeniable undertone of distress. The Vice President’s words carry the weight of a daughter witnessing firsthand the impact of isolation and legal adversity on her father. For someone who once stood tall on the national stage, the description of being “skin and bones” paints a poignant picture.
The image of a physically diminished Rodrigo Duterte contrasts sharply with the dominant persona he maintained during his presidency—a man feared by criminals, admired by supporters, and frequently in the headlines for his unapologetically tough rhetoric.
Now, confined within a foreign legal system and far from the crowds that once cheered his name, he faces a different kind of battle—one that no amount of political bravado can easily overcome. His daughter’s visit and her candid observations are perhaps the first glimpses the public has received of how those battles have affected him not just politically, but personally and physically as well.
As the situation continues to unfold, the nation watches not just the legal proceedings but also the family dynamic and the subtle messages sent through statements like Sara’s. Her emphasis on her father’s slim figure being preferable to his previous, bulkier state could be a way of softening public discourse while still maintaining pride in his appearance.
In the end, Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks offer more than a mere update on her father’s health—they serve as a reminder of the personal cost behind the headlines and the quiet transformations that happen away from the cameras, even to the most powerful of figures.