Kitty Duterte on sister VP Sara's impeachment proceedings: 'She's not a thief'

“She’s not a thief.”

This was the answer of Veronica “Kitty” Duterte when asked about the impeachment proceedings against her sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Kitty is currently in The Netherlands to visit their father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at The Hague for allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs. The younger Duterte said that she has yet to discuss with their patriarch about the developments on the impeachment proceedings against her sister. 

“That I haven't discussed with my father also because we don't want to add to his burdens. With that naman, I have no comment with the... With the political side of it,” she said in an interview posted by the Alvin & Tourism Facebook page. 

But Kitty believes that Sara is innocent.

“But I know my sister. I know that she can be many things. But she's not a thief. She's not dishonest. So I know that she can withstand what she's going through right now. Because she has her truth. And at the end, that will prevail,” she added. 

The House justice panel began its impeachment hearings on March 25. But the vice president has yet to attend any of the hearings, with the next one slated on May 4. 

The impeachment complaints against Duterte accused her of alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds and using them as bribes; threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and his family, including her desire to remove the head of the Chief Executive; and  alleged accumulation of unexplained wealth.

When asked about the situation of their father, Kitty shared: “He ate lunch, but he can’t remember what he ate. Basta karne. Pero kumain pa rin siya ng snacks, the same, yung pancake, gluten free nuts, at Coke Zero.” 

(He ate lunch, but he can’t remember what he ate. It was meat. But he still ate snacks—the usual: pancakes, gluten-free nuts, and Coke Zero. 

The youngest child of the former president said that she won’t stay for long as she has to go back to school in Manila. 

“No, because I have to…aside from my personal life, I have my school. Kaya naka-shades ako. Kapag first visit and last, umiiyak ako, kasi siyempre nami-miss ko yung tatay ko,” said Kitty. 

(No, because I have to… aside from my personal life, I have my school. That’s why I’m wearing shades. During the first and last visit, I cry, because of course I miss my dad.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News