The Senators doubt if indeed Duterte and the Philippines can withdraw from the International Criminal Court.
The Senators doubt the recent pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he intends to withdraw the membership of the Philippines to the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the move could put the country in the disadvantage.
The Senators also expressed that the move might need the approval of the Senate.
Senator Leila de Lima said that the President cannot just withdraw from the ICC, which she described as a strong international mechanism against war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.
Senator De Lima said that the President cannot just withdraw unilaterally because the country’s membership to the ICC was “ratified by the Senate and so this should have the concurrence of the Senate”.
The lady Senator said that Duterte must learn to consult the Senators and Representatives, political leaders, human rights groups and the public on such matters.
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