Veronica 'Kitty' Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has urged the Supreme Court (SC) to address her pending petition regarding her father's arrest.
The appeal was made through her legal counsel on May 12, 2026, as she seeks to bring her father back from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Kitty's petition for habeas corpus has seen no substantive action for 14 months, despite multiple motions for resolution.
In her motion, she emphasized that the SC's inaction undermines the writ and poses a threat to constitutional rights.
Among those named in the petition are high-ranking officials, including Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Kitty expressed concern that the prolonged delay erodes public trust in the judiciary.
Her motion references Senate Resolution 44, which aims to protect Filipinos from immediate extradition without exhausting local legal avenues.
Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March 2025 based on an ICC warrant related to alleged crimes during his controversial anti-drug campaign.
The charges against him include multiple counts of murder linked to the Davao Death Squad and actions during his presidency.
Kitty's renewed appeal coincides with the impending arrest of Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, who is also implicated in the ICC investigation.
Dela Rosa, who returned to the Senate after a six-month absence, is currently under protective custody pending legal resolutions.
Vice President Sara Duterte has criticized calls for dela Rosa's voluntary surrender, emphasizing that an ICC warrant is not enforceable in the Philippines.
Ikinalulungkot ko dahil ang mga personal na interes ng iba't ibang politiko ay inuuna, na pinapabayaan ang ating mga kapwa mamamayan na nangangailangan.
Bise Presidente Sara Duterte
The situation has sparked significant political debate, with five minority senators urging dela Rosa to surrender to the ICC.