Vice President Sara Duterte was not allowed to personally attend the confirmation of charges proceedings against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, at the International Criminal Court.

The Vice President revealed she was only able to follow parts of the proceedings through social media, after the family's applications to be present during the hearings this week were denied.

"Gusto ko sana ay makasama at makausap si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ngayong panahon ng confirmation of charges. Pero hindi kasi pinayagan 'yung mga application ng pamilya sa linggong ito," VP Sara said.

["I wanted to be with and speak to former President Rodrigo Duterte during this confirmation of charges period. However, the family's applications were not approved this week."]

The Vice President also disclosed that the family is no longer holding out hope for the former president's return to the Philippines, noting that Rodrigo Duterte himself has already expressed acceptance of the possibility that he may die while detained at the ICC facility.

Despite this, VP Sara expressed gratitude toward her father's legal defense team at the international tribunal.

"Nagpapasalamat ako kay Atty. Kaufman at sa buong legal defense team ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kaso niya sa ICC, sa kanyang paghahanda, at sa pagpapakita nila ng confidence, kumpiyansa na walang ebidensya na magpapatunay na ginawa ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at mga sinasabing krimen," she said.

["I am grateful to Atty. Kaufman and the entire legal defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte for his case at the ICC, for their preparation, and for showing confidence that there is no evidence that will prove former President Rodrigo Duterte committed the alleged crimes."]

The confirmation of charges hearing is a critical stage in the ICC process that determines whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to full trial against the former president, who faces charges in connection with the deadly drug war carried out during his administration.