Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte remains in stable health while held at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in The Hague, according to Joyleen Balaba, a Cagayan de Oro councilor and rumored former partner. During a recent visit, Balaba observed that while the former leader has lost weight and moves at a slower pace due to his age, he is still able to walk unassisted and engage in conversation, albeit with some lapses in memory. The visit sheds light on the personal life of the 79-year-old, who has been in custody since March 2025 facing charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s deadly war on drugs.

Balaba, who previously worked as a journalist in Davao City, noted that Duterte appears resigned to his current situation, telling her that he considers himself retired from politics and is at peace with his past actions. She shared that he remains in good spirits despite the challenges of detention and his upcoming trial, which is set to begin on November 30. While only immediate family and legal counsel are typically granted standard visitation rights at the Scheveningen facility, Balaba and Honeylet Avanceña have managed to secure permission to visit the former president, offering a rare glimpse into the daily life of a man who once dominated the Philippine political landscape.