Duterte’s party says ICC being used as ‘battering ram’ vs. ex-leader

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) has accused the House Quad Committee (QuadComm) of using the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a "battering ram" against its leader, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The PDP issued the statement after no less than Duterte said he wants the ICC to investigate him as soon as possible during the QuadComm's continuing investigation into the drug war deaths during his administration.

 “The ICC is being used by the opponents of FPRRD [former President Duterte] as a 'battering ram' against him, which is another clear case of political persecution and grandstanding,” the PDP said.

“Just because the ICC is 'international' makes it a good 'battering ram' against the former President. And this must be stopped,” it added.

Duterte’s political party also called the investigation political persecution and grandstanding.

“The QuadComm hearings, instead of becoming a venue to craft legislation, has become a venue to prosecute former President Duterte and his allies and discredit his war on drugs that is widely supported by the people. Much of the hearing becomes a venue for political grandstanding for media mileage, which leaves a bad taste in the mouth as elections are just around the corner,” the PDP said.

'Feel the heat'

In response, House QuadComm co-chair Dan Fernandez of Santa Rosa, Laguna said these statements of PDP do not hold water.

“If you feel the heat, statements like that are common,” Fernandez said.

The ICC earlier said it was closely monitoring the latest developments related to the controversial anti-illegal drug campaign during the administration of former President Duterte, which is now the subject of investigation by Philippine Congress.

The Philippines unilaterally withdrew from the Rome Statute which established the ICC in March 2018 when Duterte was still President, a withdrawal that took effect a year later, also within the Duterte presidency.

It is because of this withdrawal that Duterte and his allies are arguing that the Philippines is not under ICC jurisdiction and therefore, should not cooperate with the ICC probe. — BM, GMA Integrated News