Kitty: Rodrigo Duterte wants Filipinos to 'fight for what is right'

“Do good, fight for your country, and fight for what is right.”

This was the message of former President Rodrigo Duterte to Filipinos days before Eleksyon 2025, according to his daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, on Wednesday.

Kitty, who attended PDP Laban’s campaign rally in Muntinlupa City along with her mother, Honeylet Avanceña, said that she recently talked with her father, who is currently detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague for charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs.

“Nagusap kami ni Dada Rody ko kahapon. Sabi niya sa akin, ay sobrang proud siya sa akin at ipagpatuloy ko lang daw ito. Binigyang diin niya rin na mahalin ko raw kayo kagaya ng pagmamahal niya sa inyo,” Kitty said.

(My father and I talked yesterday. He told me that he was very proud of me and told me to just keep doing what I’m doing now. He also emphasized that I should love you as much as he loves the people.)

“Muli kong iaabot ang bilin ni Tatay Digong para sa bawat Pilipino, sinabi niya ito sa akin, ‘Do good, fight for your country, and fight for what is right.’ Sabi niya, ‘wag kayong mag-alala because this is not forever, God will intervene. And he sends his love to all the Filipino people,” she added.

(Tatay Digong wants every Filipino to ‘Do good, fight for your country, and fight for what is right.’ He said that you should not worry because this is not forever, God will intervene. And he sends his love to all the Filipino people.)

Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11, based on a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Kitty Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, attends PDP Laban’s campaign rally in Muntinlupa, along with her mom Honeylet Avanceña.

Kitty says her dad wants Filipinos to “do good, fight for your country, and fight for what is right.” @gmanewspic.twitter.com/6BNRHVlLTs

— Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) May 7, 2025

Call for the youth

Kitty, who is currently 21 years old, also called on the youth to do the right thing in the upcoming elections, and vote for candidates who have the heart to serve the Philippines.

“May kasabihan, na the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Ito ang nangyayari sa Pilipinas ngayon! Walang tumatayo para ipaglaban kung anong tama,” she said.

(There is a saying that the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. This is what is happening in the Philippines today! No one stands up to fight for what is right.)

“Mga kababayan, mga kabataan, magboto tayo ng tama, magboto tayo ng may puso para sa pagserbisyo ngayong eleksyon sa May 12, 2025…Suportahan natin ang DuterTEN or PDP senatorial slate. Wag natin silang kalimutan, mga kababayan,” she continued.

(My fellow Filipinos, the youth, let's vote correctly, let's vote for those with a heart to serve in the May 12 elections. Let's support the DuterTEN or PDP senatorial slate. Let's not forget them.)

The 10-man PDP Laban senatorial slate is currently on its final stretch of campaigning before the May 12 elections.

The political party, chaired by Rodrigo Duterte himself, held its last grand rally in Muntinlupa City on Wednesday, attended by its senate bets Atty. Vic Rodrguez, Atty. Jayvee Hinlo, Atty. Raul Lambino, Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, and Dr. Richard Mata.

PDP Laban will hold its miting de avance at Liwasang Bonifacio in vote-rich Manila City on Thursday, May 8. —VAL, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.