De Lima: Duterte's ICC waiver belies defense claim he is mentally unfitFormer Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and former senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima attend a senate probe on the drug war during Duterte's administration on Oct. 28, 2024. In his statement, Duterte also maintained that he had been "kidnapped," echoing a narrative repeatedly advanced by his family and supporters since his arrest in March 2025. De Lima said Duterte's statement was crafted to generate sympathy, calling it propaganda when he stated he might even die in detention. The minority lawmaker, however, also believes that Duterte's statement was not something he prepared himself, saying the former president "does not speak in such a controlled manner." He always boasted about killing and ordering the killing of drug war victims."

Source: Philippine Star February 20, 2026 03:41 UTC