Several lawmakers at the House of Representatives have filed resolutions urging the Philippine government to rejoin the International Criminal Court, placing the chamber at the center of a renewed debate over the country’s return to the Hague based tribunal.
House Resolution 809 was filed by ACT Teachers Party-List Representative Antonio L. Tinio, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party list Representative Renee Co. A separate measure, House Resolution 811, was filed by Akbayan Partylist Representative Percival Cendaña, Chel Diokno, and Dadah Kiram Ismula, with Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao backing the call.
The lawmakers said rejoining the ICC would reaffirm the country’s commitment to justice, human dignity, and the rule of law. Cendaña said returning to the ICC would show solidarity with victims of alleged extrajudicial killings under former President Rody Duterte’s drug war, which is now the subject of a crimes against humanity case before the court.
“Kailangan nating ipakita na hindi kagaya ng dating administrasyon, sinusuportahan natin ang mga biktima ng tokhang at huwad na war on drugs ni Digong,” Cendaña said.
“We cannot allow the return to a tokhang presidency that will belittle human rights, murder children, torture, and dehumanize our people. Hindi dapat natin payagan na maulit itong bangungot ng pang aabuso sa karapatang pantao sa ating bansa,” he added.
House Deputy Speaker and La Union First District Representative Paolo Ortega also expressed support for the move to rejoin the ICC.
“Maganda pa rin na pag aralan maigi kasi we are a founding member. We will support if there is a move to rejoin,” Ortega said.
The resolutions were filed as the ICC prepares to hold a confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte, who is currently under the custody of the court. The case stems from alleged killings linked to his anti drug campaign while in office.
Opposition to the move also surfaced within the chamber. PPP Party list Representative Harold Duterte described the ICC proceedings against his uncle as political.
“Today is not about accountability. Today is not about victims or justice. Today is about politics plain and simple,” he said in a statement.
The ICC was established under the Rome Statute and prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 after the court opened an investigation into Duterte’s drug war.
The filing of the resolutions signals an active push within the House to revisit the country’s relationship with the ICC as the international case against the former president moves forward.
