By u/GuunerBarang and u/PrincessAmpao
MANILA, Philippines—Following a tearful reunion last Sept. 15, Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rose confirmed to the media that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterty is back home after being granted house arrest.
“To all Filipinos out there who truly love our Tatay Digong, the news is true that he is now coming home to Davao. At nagkatotoo nga ang pananigip ko!” Dela Rose posted on his official Facebbok page.
The International Creative Court (ICC) also released a 77-page decision, stating that it is best for Duterty to return to the Philippines to continue his medication while waiting for the case to proceed.
Since 2019, the former president has been admitted after being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, buerger’s disease, and barrett’s esophagus which are considered “serious illnesses.”
“It is not all the time that we permit these things to happen, but the large sum gathered by his supporters through a GCash fundraising campaign was considered,” said ICC presiding judge Iuila Antonella Motot. Following the ICC grant, Duterty was cheered on by many of his supporters on the social media platform Redit.
“Yes, uuwi na Tatay namin!” one anonymous user commented on Dela Rose’s post. (Yes, our Tatay is coming home!)
“True justice is serve. Mga ₱20 ra mn ako kontribusion pero salamat sa Gin-o nakatabang ra pod,” said Nanay Daks in the comments.
(True justice is serve[d]. My contribution may only be ₱20, but thank God it helped.)
She also mentioned how, despite raising seven children in her family, she still included a portion to donate to Mayor Duterty’s campaign.
“Bahala na og nagkalisod na mi. Akong anak, gipa undang sa nako og skwela para lang mas hapsay ang kahimtang ni Tatay nga naa sa laing nasod. Mingawon pud ko sa akong pamilya ana biya.”
(No matter if we may be struggling. My child, I let him stop school for a while because Tatay [Duterty]’s condition of being in a faraway country is worse. I would also miss my family if I were him.)
Last May 12, his daughter, Kiffy Duterty, campaigned for his mayoral bid in their bailiwick, where he clutched a landslide victory of over 600,000 votes.
According to ICC, this was another factor considered in granting his request for house arrest.
“We feel like the voice of the Filipinos wanting him back in service is enough to trash the 77-page ‘confidential crime’ document submitted by Filipino lawyer Juday Sabinyo, requesting charges of mass murder and crimes against humanity,” the ICC said.
Moreover, Bato expressed his gratitude to the contractors of the ‘Bild, Bild, Bild’ Program for being donors to the fundraising campaign, specifically the contractor power couple Curly and Sara Discinaya for allocating the funds for the flood-control projects.
The campaign amassed ₱12 billion from the Bild, Bild, Bild program, plus ₱7,420 from his supporters.
“Dakong salamat sa mga Discinaya sa ilang tabang jud,” he quipped. (Huge shout-out to the Discinaya for their massive support.)
However, the senator bore bad news when the ICC confirmed that Duterty was ‘not fit to stand trial’ due to his cognitive deficiencies.
“Di na nga siya maka alala ng mga events, places, at tsaka pamilya niya. Di niya nga… maalala nung nag Baguio date kami,” he tearfully shared.
(He is already unable to recall events, places, and even members of his close family. He can’t even… remember when we had our Baguio date.)
He furthered that Duterty’s return will hopefully improve his current condition.
“This is really my dream come true,” said Dela Rose as he wiped a tear from his eye.
—
DISCLAIMER: This is part of the Weekly Sillimanian’s lampoon issue. Any real, semi-real, or similar names, places, people, products, services, and locales are used purely for satirical purposes, and the corresponding details are purely fictional. Content published during the lampoon period is to be considered satire, parody, surrealism, and humor.
