Is former President Rodrigo Duterte’s future at the mercy of his ‘potential’ political adversaries, particularly the current Marcos-Romualdez administration?
Speculation is rife, and Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has stirred the pot with an announcement regarding the Philippines’ stance at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Remulla disclosed on Thursday, November 23, that discussions on the country’s fate at the ICC would be on the table for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Seeking clarity, Remulla expressed his intention to meet with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to ensure they are on the “same page” regarding the ICC probe.
“Of course, we will clarify if we have plans to be a member of the ICC anew amid the Congress’ push. How it affects the whole universe of the ICC and the Philippine government as it is right now,” said Remulla, emphasizing the need to understand the implications of rejoining the ICC.
In response to this development, Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, issued a statement on November 23, reacting to a House resolution urging government cooperation with the ICC probe into her father’s drug war.
She emphasized the need to respect the President’s position, stating that involving foreign entities in local matters is unconstitutional.
“To allow ICC prosecutors to investigate alleged crimes that are now under the exclusive jurisdiction of our prosecutors and our Courts is not only patently unconstitutional but effectively belittles and degrades our legal institutions,” Sara Duterte remarked.
“Huwag nating insultuhin at bigyan ng kahihiyan ang ating mga hukuman sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita sa mundo na tayo ay naniniwala na mga dayuhan lang ang tanging may abilidad na magbigay ng katarungan at hustisya sa ating sariling bayan,” she added.
However, netizens raised eyebrows at Sara Duterte’s statement, particularly recalling an incident from 2011 when, as mayor of Davao, she physically confronted and punched a sheriff performing his duty.
The irony of her call for respect toward legal institutions did not go unnoticed.
“Wag daw insultuhin at bigyan ng kahihiyan ang ating mga hukuman eh nung jinombag nya yung kawawang Sheriff na nag eexecute lang ng order ng Korte, parang hindi nya na nirespeto ang hukuman non. The audacity to request respect by the same belligerent person to the Cour,” a verified X user named Knoxx commented.
“If your father didn’t do anything wrong, what’s the big deal? Let your father defend himself. He’s a lawyer, isn’t he?” Another netizen named Leo Martin commented on X.
Amid these developments, DOJ Secretary Remulla highlighted the complexity of the situation, given that the Philippines is no longer an ICC member state.
He underscored the need for a thorough examination of Congress’s arguments in advocating for ICC cooperation, emphasizing that the issue is inherently linked to foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Members of the House of Representatives, including Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante and 1-Rider Representative Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, have filed House Resolution No. 1477.
This resolution urges the government to fully cooperate with the ICC Prosecutor’s investigation into Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
“The Philippine government’s initial request for the ICC Prosecutor to defer its investigation and the Philippine government’s subsequent petition before the ICC Appeals Chamber clearly demonstrate that the Philippine government respects the rule of international law and recognizes the proceedings of the ICC,” the resolution read.
Despite the Philippines withdrawing its ICC membership in 2019, the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has received the go-ahead to continue investigating crimes committed from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019.
In the midst of these proceedings, a group of lawmakers, including Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, has urged their colleagues to “declare unequivocal defense” of Duterte from any ICC investigation.
However, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman clarified that the House resolutions do not aim to put Duterte on trial before ICC panels. Instead, the focus is on the current administration’s engagement with the ICC.
“Hindi naman tayo, hindi natin nililitis yung merits of the complaint. Ang atin lang tinitignan yung, kailangan ba i-express ang sentiment ng Mababang Kapulungan tungkol sa cooperation ng government sa ICC,” Lagman said.
Former senator and Duterte critic Sonny Trillanes IV joined the conversation, emphasizing the ICC’s purpose to prosecute tyrants who commit crimes against humanity.
Trillanes argued that the Supreme Court has affirmed the ICC’s jurisdiction over acts committed by government actors until March 17, 2019, regardless of the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
The Daily Netizen 