VERONICA “Kitty” Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, urged the public to remain steadfast and continue their support as she vowed to try everything until her father returns home.
On Sunday evening, March 23, Kitty Duterte visited her family home in Doña Luisa Subdivision, Matina, Davao City, and spoke with supporters holding vigil at the residence.
She suggested that supporters focus on electoral victories rather than direct confrontation.
Residents and volunteers have been guarding the property since former President Duterte’s arrest on March 11, 2025, amid reports of potential search warrants at Duterte’s residences.
She expressed gratitude to the supporters and guards, reminding them to take care.
“Sa mga kababayan ko. Patuloy lang yung pagdasal natin huwag natin kalimutan kumain at matulog. Magpahinga tayo tapos huwag na natin sila patulan dun na tayo babawi sa election (To my fellow citizens, let us continue to pray. Let’s not forget to eat and sleep. Let’s rest, and let’s not engage them. We will retaliate in the elections),” she said.
“We will not stop huwag nyo ako alalahanin okay lang ako mana ako sa kanya. Dili gyud ta muondang. Dili jud ta muondang hantod sa makauli siya. Ang gusto lang niya makauli sa Davao kana ra iyang gusto (We will not stop. Do not worry about me, I am fine. I take after him. We will not stop. We will not stop until he returns. He only wants to return to Davao, that is all he wants),” Veronica stated.
She instructed the volunteers outside their home, “Eat and sleep. Don’t stay up all night.”
She also provided an update on her father’s condition, saying, “He is okay. We sent him dried fish, but it was not accepted. He doesn’t eat… You know he’s accustomed to Visayan food. His medicine has been given, so he’s okay. He’s watching TV there.”
When asked about her father’s return, she replied, “Wala pami kabalo depende sa legal counsel pero sige lang ampo lang ta, ampo lang ta. Ayaw mo ug undang ha (We don’t know yet; it depends on the legal counsel. Let’s just pray. Don’t stop praying).”
The crowd then chanted, “Duterte! Duterte! Duterte!”
She responded, “Salamat kaayo. Grabe kaayo among pasalamat ninyo Kay palangga bya nako na akong Papa. Dili ta muondang hantod makauli siya (Thank you very much. We are very grateful to you because I love my father very much. We will not stop until he returns).”
A person responded, “Ma’am Kitty, palangga pud kaayo namo imong Papa (Ma’am Kitty, we love your father very much too).”
“Salamat kaayo (Thank you very much),” she said.
She added that her family is grateful for the continued support and rallies held for her father.
“Salamat sainyong lahat buong pamilya ko nagpapasalamat sainyo patuloy lang yung pagdasal natin at alagaaan natin Ang mga sarili natin matulog tayo kakain tayo. Walang iiyak. Walang iiyak. Laban lang. Laban tayo. Kasi malayo pa to Hindi pa to tapos (Thank you all. My whole family is grateful to you. Let’s continue to pray and take care of ourselves. Let’s sleep and eat. No one should cry. We will fight. We will fight. Because this is far from over. This is not yet finished),” she further said.
A man shouted, “Gaganti kami sainyo laban niyo laban naming lahat (We will retaliate! Your fight is our fight!)” She replied, “We will retaliate [in the elections]. Let’s not provoke them. Let’s retaliate in the elections for peace. So, take care. Thank you very much.”
“Kamo lang sa run sa balay Kay di mangud mi kauli lisud man gud karon delikado kaayo sainyo lang jud mi naga asa sa mga tao lang jud (You stay at the house for now because we cannot return, it’s very difficult and dangerous. We only have you, the people, to rely on),” she explained.
She also thanked the OFWs from the different parts of the world who conducted protests and rallies in support of her father.
“Maraming salamat sainyong lahat malaking bagay eto para sa akin at pamilya ko.
Wala kaming ibang hinihingi yung dasal nyo lang at suporta (Thank you all. We are very grateful for me and my family. We are not asking for anything other than your prayers and support),” she further said.
The people then chanted again, “Duterte! Duterte! Duterte!”
