Senator Robin Padilla went to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to support a signature campaign urging the court to act on petitions linked to former president Rody Duterte. The activity coincided with the first anniversary of Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague over charges connected to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
Padilla joined supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court compound in Manila as organizers submitted the second batch of signatures collected through the campaign. The group said the latest submission contained around 76,000 signatures, bringing the total number gathered so far to about 238,000 names. The first batch of signatures had been submitted earlier in February.
The initiative aims to show public support for Duterte and to call on the Supreme Court to rule on petitions questioning the Philippine government’s cooperation with the ICC and Interpol following the former president’s arrest and detention abroad.
In an interview, Padilla said he attended the activity to stand with fellow supporters and members of his political party.
“Ako po ay nandidito bilang miyemrbo ng PDP. Pangatlo, ako po ay nandidito para samahan ang aking mga kasama sa Tay Kami Naman,” he said.
Padilla also said the campaign seeks to demonstrate to the court that Duterte’s supporters are waiting for a decision.
“Isang taon na ho. Medyo nangangamba na ho ang maraming nagmamahal kay Digong dahil isang taon na ho siya doon. Kaya nangalap po kami ng mga tunay na pirma, tunay na mga tao na pumirma para ipakita po sa SC na naghahangad na po kaming lahat ng desisyon nila,” he said.
Duterte was arrested in March 2025 over alleged crimes against humanity tied to killings during the anti-drug campaign carried out when he served as Davao City mayor and later as president. Petitions filed by Duterte, and members of his family remain pending before the Supreme Court.
