Former President Rody Duterte‘s Filipino legal team pushed back against the International Criminal Court confirmation of charges proceedings in The Hague, calling the case political and questioning both the allegations and the court’s jurisdiction.
They said the prosecution and victims’ counsels relied on rhetoric instead of proof. “Personally, I see it as a political matter. Parang balewala ebidensya dito, theatrics e,” said former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. He added, “Puro storya lahat na hindi natin alam anong oras, sino kailan, walang sufficient definite test.”
Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo questioned why hearings moved forward despite jurisdiction issues. “May nag-question sa jurisdiction mo, pending appeal tapos siniset mo na for hearing, ano ba tawag doon? Ibig sabihin itutuloy mo yan. Prini-preempt mo at prini-pre-judge mo na lahat,” Panelo said.
Lawyer Martin Delgra said the political character of the case has been evident from the start. “Wag na natin sabihing former president. Itrato na lang natin bilang isang Pilipino. Bakit hindi magawa-gawa ng administrasyong Marcos? That is proof na may political character itong prosesong ito,” he said.
Delgra also rejected the prosecution’s framing of the anti-drug campaign. “Pagdating naman doon sa representatives of the victims, it’s all rhetorics, not a single piece of substantial evidence because that is the basis of the ICC to confirm the charges,” he said.
“It is all a rhetorical narrative, they even mentioned that it was a war against the poor. Nakapagtataka, yung former president is close to the poor. What is there to say that it is a war against the poor? It is a war against illegal drugs.”
The hearings will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Duterte waived his appearance before the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I. “Mas magandang hindi siya mag-appear kasi hindi niya nire-recognize ang jurisdiction ng ICC,” Delgra said.
The legal team said it will continue contesting both the allegations and the ICC’s authority.
