Senator Imee Marcos firmly rejected the idea of former President Rodrigo Duterte facing charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC), asserting that foreign intervention in Philippine affairs is an insult to the country’s judiciary.
“I do not want foreigners interfering with us. It is truly an insult to our judiciary, which I hold in high regard. Even though it is slow, our judges are dedicated to their work. That is the situation. Why should they interfere? Should we just destroy all our courts? It is extremely insulting to our sovereignty if they intervene”
(Ayokong nanghihimasok ang mga dayuhan sa atin. Talagang insulto sa ating judiciary na ang taas-taas naman ang pagtingin ko sa kanila kahit mabagal, talaga namang puspusan na kinakarir ng ating mga judges. Eh ganyan naman ang sitwasyon. Bakit papakialaman? Eh ‘di sirain na natin lahat ng korte natin. Napaka-insulto naman yata sa ating soberanya kung manghihimasok pa sila),” Marcos stated in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Harapan.
She also emphasized that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC and that its judiciary remains functional. “Most importantly, we are no longer a member of the ICC. We are no longer part of what they call the Rome Statute. It is very clear that they should only step in when there is no functioning court, but our judiciary is intact, and our judges are very competent
(Higit sa lahat, hindi na tayo member ng ICC. Wala na tayo dyan sa sinasabing Rome Statute. Kung saan, napakaliwanag, kapag walang korte, tsaka lang sila papasok, eh, buong-buo naman ang hudikatura natin, ang gagaling pa ng ating judges.)”
The Philippine government has maintained its stance on the ICC’s ongoing probe into Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.
Interpol’s Role in the ICC Probe
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin reiterated that while the country has withdrawn from the ICC, the government cannot completely ignore any requests made by the international tribunal through Interpol, of which the Philippines remains a member.
“We have withdrawn from the ICC, membership from the ICC, and that withdrawal is now already in effect,” Bersamin stated.
However, he clarified that if the ICC seeks assistance through Interpol, the government would respond accordingly. “But we have been very clear in our statements regarding this. If the ICC makes a move and channels it through Interpol, and Interpol makes the request to us for the arrest or custody of a person subject to ICC jurisdiction, we will respond favorably or positively to the Interpol request because we also benefit from Interpol in other cases
(Pero, we have been very clear in our statements regarding this, if the ICC makes a move, and courses the move through the Interpol and the Interpol makes the request to us for the arrest or delivery of the custody of a person subject to ICC jurisdiction, we will respond, favorably or positively to the Interpol request, kasi nagbe-benefit din tayo sa Interpol in other cases.)”
The ICC has been investigating the thousands of killings linked to Duterte’s war on drugs, a campaign that has faced both domestic and international criticism. While Duterte and his allies have consistently dismissed the probe, human rights groups continue to call for accountability
