“So Thin, Skin and Bones!” Rodrigo Duterte’s Condition Revealed After 100 Days in Detention

Zimmerman Breaks Silence: What She Saw During Her Visit to Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague

RODRIGO DUTERTE – In a candid video update, Elizabeth Zimmerman revealed the declining condition of her former husband, Rodrigo Duterte, as he awaits trial for crimes against humanity.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is visibly deteriorating in detention at The Hague, more than 100 days since his arrest. In a video interview posted on the Facebook page Alvin and Tourism, Duterte’s former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman painted a stark picture of his condition.

“So thin, skin and bones, unlike in the picture,” Zimmerman said, recalling her recent visit. She noted that Duterte no longer takes any medications. “At least he said, he is no longer taking any meds. At least that’s OK. He is healthy but he is an old man. He walks slowly,” she added.

Photo Source: ABC News
Zimmerman described the former president’s daily routine as largely uneventful, saying, “He just wants to sleep, watch TV. After he watches TV, he then sleeps. That’s it.” She flew to The Hague to take over visitation duties from their son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, who had to return to the Philippines.

Duterte remains concerned about developments back home. Zimmerman shared that he asked about the political climate in Davao City and their family members in local positions. “He is asking, ‘how is Davao? Is Baste OK, because he is the acting mayor?’” she recalled. Duterte was referring to their son Sebastian, who was appointed acting mayor by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Zimmerman assured him all was well, even mentioning their grandsons—Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II and Omar Vincent Duterte—who are serving as vice mayor and congressman, respectively.

The former president also asked, “Did the Hugpong win?” referring to the Hugpong ng Pagbabago political party led by Vice President Sara Duterte. Zimmerman replied affirmatively and conveyed Duterte’s gratitude to his supporters, saying he advised her to return home due to the cost of travel. “I told him I will be here for as long as we are needed here,” she affirmed.

Zimmerman, in the same video, expressed continued faith in Duterte. “I believe in him also,” she said, recalling that she testified to the court, “He is a good leader but there is something wrong, he has a flaw.”

As Duterte awaits trial for crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs, his legal team continues to seek interim release, proposing transfer to a neutral third-party country—an appeal opposed by the ICC prosecutor.