MANILA, Philippines — April 23, 2026 — Veronica “Kitty” Duterte declared that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, remains “unconquered” despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber’s ruling affirming jurisdiction over his case, quoting lines from the poem Invictus to underscore his resilience.

Speaking in The Hague after the ICC Appeals Chamber denied Duterte’s appeal on jurisdiction, Kitty relayed her father’s message: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” She emphasized that while Duterte’s body may be frail, his spirit remains strong. “His head is bloodied but unbowed,” she said, echoing Henley’s poem.

The ICC decision, handed down on April 22, confirmed by a 4-1 vote that the tribunal has jurisdiction over Duterte’s case, allowing proceedings on alleged crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs to move forward. Duterte, who has been detained in The Hague since March 2025, waived his right to appear during the reading of the judgment.

Kitty expressed unwavering support for her father, saying, “There is nothing and no one on this earth I will not face for my family, for my Papa.” She added that Duterte’s influence continues through his children: Vice President Sara Duterte, Congressman Paolo Duterte, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and herself.

She also addressed critics, asserting that Duterte’s legacy will endure regardless of the ICC case. “His immortality will be seen on the minds and in the hearts of every Filipino he has saved,” she said. “No matter how much you hate PRRD, there will always be millions who love him. If you think you will win, no, you will not, because either way — Invictus.”

The ICC ruling marks a significant setback for Duterte’s defense team, which argued that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019 should have stripped the court of jurisdiction. However, the Appeals Chamber ruled that withdrawal cannot erase accountability for crimes already under investigation.

Kitty’s remarks highlight the Duterte family’s continued defiance amid international legal challenges, reinforcing their narrative of resilience and loyalty even as the former president faces trial abroad.