Former President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing his youngest daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, to focus on her education and eventually enter politics, following in his footsteps.
"Umiiyak ‘yung anak ko kasi kung pwede lang sana hindi siya mapasok sa politika. Narinig ko sinabi ng papa niya, ‘Mag-aral ka at sumunod ka rin sa yapak ko,'" Duterte's common law wife Honeylet Avanceña said during PDP-Laban senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta’s Miting De Avance at the Philippine Arena on Tuesday.
She tearfully claimed that her daughter was forced to mature overnight after her father—whom she considered her "security blanket"—was taken away from her when he was "kidnapped."
Moreover, speaking at the same campaign rally, Kitty Duterte admitted she never planned to enter politics but her father’s arrest compelled her to reconsider.
"Ako ay isang 21-year-old college student lamang at ayoko sanang makisali sa politika. Pero nang dahil sa pag-kidnap at pag-abuso nila sa tatay ko, nandito ako ngayon para ipaglaban hindi lamang ang pamilya ko kundi ang bansang Pilipinas," said Kitty.
She further noted that the support their family continues to receive gives her the courage to fulfill her promise to her father—to campaign for his chosen candidates while he is in The Hague.
The 21-year-old Duterte then urged the public, especially the youth, to vote wisely, emphasizing that the country’s future depends on it.
Kitty ended her remarks by echoing her father's statement that his involvement in public service was never about personal agenda, but was rooted in love for the country.
"Mahal niya ang bayan niya. Pilipinas, Duterte pa rin!” said Kitty.
Upon his arrival at NAIA Terminal 3 in Manila on March 11, the 80-year-old Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities based on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He was subsequently sent to The Hague in the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
The confirmation hearing for the charges against him is set for September 23, 2025.
