Vice President Sara Duterte greeted her detained father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, on his 81st birthday, urging Filipinos to defend his rights as a matter of national sovereignty. In a video message during the 89th Araw ng Dabaw celebrations in Davao City on March 28, she warned against the weaponization of the law and unconstitutional foreign intrusion into Philippine courts.
In Davao City, the 89th Araw ng Dabaw was celebrated on March 28, 2026, shifted from the traditional March 16 date to coincide with the 81st birthday of Rodrigo Duterte, who has been detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague since March 2025 on crimes against humanity charges related to his drug war.
"As we celebrate, we also stand firm. The defense of his rights is a defense of our national sovereignty," Vice President Sara Duterte said in her video message. She added, "Our justice system must remain independent, serving only the mandate of the Filipino people and never the interests of foreign powers."
Duterte's defense team has questioned the legality of his arrest, while Malacañang maintained that the Philippine government's turnover to the ICC was lawful.
Sara attended with brother Davao Mayor Sebastian Duterte, nephew Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II, and allies including Senator Bong Go, Rep. Isidro Ungab, and Omar Duterte. Reports noted attendance by Rowena Guanzon, Vic Rodriguez, Rep. Kiko Barzaga, Rep. Leandro Leviste, Ronald Cardema, and Ferdinand Topacio, though Sara stated, "We welcome everyone to the celebration of Araw ng Davao…except for Congressman Kiko Barzaga."
The Parada Dabawenyo parade lasted five hours from Roxas Avenue to San Pedro Square, filled with DDS supporters carrying "Bring him home" banners. Sebastian Duterte spoke in support of his sister's 2028 presidential run and criticized the Marcos administration.
The family launched a supporter website, rodrigoroaduterte.com. Their sole birthday wish: "he be given another year of good health." A Solidarity Walk was also held for the birthday.
