Statement of Malacañang on PH Rejoining ICC
Malacañang expressed that President Bongbong Marcos listens to the sentiments of the people over the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The non-inclusion of the Philippines in the list of countries covered by the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) became a topic again following the controversial arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte last March 11. He was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
Duterte is currently detained under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. He is faced with an accusation of crimes against humanity over the war on drugs of his administration.
The confirmation of charges against the former President is set on September 23. Recently, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s camp moved to seek his ICC interim release to an undisclosed country. His camp previously asserted that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the Philippines.
Former Pres. Duterte withdrew the Philippines’ membership to the ICC in 2019 as the investigation over his war on drugs campaign did not sit well with him. However, according to the foreign court, there are accusations against the former Chief Executive that happened when the country was still its member.
Previously, Malacañang press undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro claimed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos is open to discussions over the Philippines rejoining ICC. Recently, the Palace spoke anew after the outcome of the survey conducted by OCTA Research.
The results of the latest OCTA survey showed that majority of the Filipinos want PH to rejoin the ICC. Most of the respondents who showed support to PH rejoining the foreign court are those in the National Capital Region (NCR), in Balance Luzon, and in Visayas.
Recently, Malacañang said Pres. Bongbong Marcos has yet to raise the issue about the Philippines rejoining the ICC. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Palace press undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the President has yet to mention it.
“Sa ngayon po ay hindi pa napapag-usapan yan, hindi pa nababanggit ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
Based on the report, the Malacañang official added that Pres. Bongbong Marcos listens to the sentiments of the people. According to Atty. Castro, let us just wait for the decision of the President in the coming days.
Previously, the Department of Justice confirmed helping the witnesses in the ICC case. Malacañang clarifies the government helping the ICC witnesses in Duterte’s case.