In this conversation with Nuelle Duterte, the psychiatrist who happens to be the niece of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the first cousin of Vice President Sara Duterte, we dive deep into the Duterte family psyche and try to make sense of the theatrics by both father and daughter. • “I don’t want to say I told you so but… I did tell you so,” Nuelle says. • Nuelle grew without really knowing the former president, her father’s brother. “We ere not close at all.” • But, she says, she “feels very guilty” about how her relatives turned out, “because I looked away.” • Nuelle thinks Sara theatrics are meant to detract and deflect attention from the corruption investigation in Congress. • Instead of focusing on the investigation, she says, “people are focused on her theatrics” – and that was by design. • Nothing will compel the Dutertes to rethink what they’re doing, Nuelle adds. “They’re used to getting away with things.” • “There are no consequences for them so why would they stop? Nothing compels them to stop.” • Perhaps the only way to stop the Dutertes, particularly the old man, is “when he loses privileges, money, wealth, influence – that’s the only thing that will influence him” • Duterte apologizing for his actions? “Not gonna happen!” • “Filipinos look at this as a spectacle. They don’t see it as having a direct effect on them. But I hope they realize that whatever is happening will affect their lives.