Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Admits Unbelief on ICC Capabilities
RODRIGO DUTERTE – The Philippine President described the International Criminal Court (ICC) as allegedly a “silly court” that has not imprisoned anyone.
Long before the Senate has started its investigation on the war on drugs, the House Quad Committee already conducted several hearings regarding the Duterte drug war. The most popular campaign of the previous administration is linked to several deaths.
Duterte appeared at the very first hearing conducted by the Senate over his war on drugs. It followed a series of skipping the House probe due to different reasons. In one instance, former Pres. Duterte claimed that traveling to Metro Manila is costly and he only depends on his retirement pay.
Meanwhile, at the recent hearing conducted by the House Quad Comm, the former President testified. At the hearing, countless people were surprised when he expressed willingness to be investigated by the International Criminal Court.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said that the ICC must hurry up and come to the Philippines and start investigating him as he might die without being investigated. At the hearing, he did not hesitate to call the ICC a “silly court”. According to him, the Hague-based court of the Rome Statute was not able to imprison African leaders who allegedly committed crimes.
“It’s a silly court. Walang ginawa ‘yan, wala namang nakulong, basta puro demanda lang,” he said.
During the House Quad Comm hearing, Cagayan de Oro 1st district Representative Lordan Suan asked former Pres. Duterte if he thought of facing the ICC during his term as president. The former Chief Executive frankly told the lawmakers that he will not allow a foreign court to have him under trial.
“Hindi ako bilib sa puti. I would rather face a Filipino. Maski wala akong abogado, ako lang… Basta korte ng Pilipino, I will abide by it,” Duterte said.
Furthermore, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said that he will not allow a foreigner to judge him for the things that he allegedly had to do for his country. Following the remarks of the former President inviting the ICC to go to the country, Pres. Bongbong Marcos said his government will not prevent the ICC from coming here for the investigation.