The Hague, Netherlands — In a surprising and candid moment, Honeylet Avanceña, common-law partner of former President Rodrigo Duterte, dismissed the ongoing Senate investigation involving Senator Imee Marcos as mere theatrics, saying, “Yung sa Senate, pa-ek-ek na lang ‘yun.”

The remark came during an impromptu interaction with supporters of the former president who had gathered outside the detention facility at The Hague to celebrate the 21st birthday of Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, the youngest daughter of Duterte and Honeylet.

When asked by a supporter if she still trusts Senator Imee Marcos and her motives, Honeylet replied bluntly: “’Di ako naniniwala sa kanya… tanong lang kung ano nangyari. ‘Di ba niya nakita nangyari?” The pointed remark referred to Senator Marcos’ ongoing Senate investigation on the arrest of the former president.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Senator Imee Marco, has recently launched an inquiry on the role of the Philippine government in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) last March 11.

The atmosphere outside the detention facility was a mix of festivity and protest, as Duterte loyalists waved banners, sang birthday songs for Kitty, and denounced what they claim is political persecution of the former Philippine leader, who is currently facing international legal proceedings related to his controversial war on drugs.

The tensions between the Marcos and Duterte camps have grown more visible in recent months, amid shifting political alliances and renewed investigations into the Duterte administration’s legacy. Honeylet’s statement, though brief, has further fueled speculation of a deepening rift between two once closely aligned political families.

As Kitty Duterte marked her coming of age far from home, the gathering at The Hague served not just as a birthday celebration, but as a platform for political expression and for Honeylet Avanceña, a moment to speak her mind.