'It's a done deal, andun na siya eh,' SOJ Remulla says on Duterte's possible return

“It’s a done deal.”

This is the response of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla when asked whether former President Rodrigo Duterte can still be returned back to the Philippines from The Hague, where he is detained pending trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Remulla said that there is a notice that the hearings are ongoing already.

“It’s a done deal. He’s there. Andoon na siya eh,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

This, as the Justice secretary also reiterated that Duterte himself previously stated that he will face the charges.

“Lahat tayong Pilipino narinig natin na sinabi sa atin ni dating Pangulong Duterte na haharapin niya ang kahit na anong paratang sa kanya, kahit sa ICC. Kaya, ‘yun na ‘yun. Andoon na siya,” he said.

(Every Filipino heard the former President say that he will face the allegations against him, even before the ICC. So that’s that. He’s there.)

“Wala na. Tapos na yan. It’s a done deal already.”

SOJ Boying Remulla sa panawagan na ibalik sa bansa si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte @gmanews pic.twitter.com/amBIV29kjc

— Saleema Refran (@saleema_refran) March 18, 2025

Remulla also called on the public to remain “united in the spirit of justice.”

“We just want justice to be done to all concerned, whether they are victims or they are the ones who perpetrated injustice, then let justice be done. That should unite us as a country,” he said.

In October 2024, Duterte said he will take “full, legal responsibility” over the drug war.

Duterte faced the ICC for the first time last week through a video conference. He is facing charges for crimes against humanity over drug war killings.

Meanwhile, his children — Veronica "Kitty" Duterte, Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, and Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte — have filed petitions for habeas corpus before the Supreme Court seeking his release and return to the country.

Duterte’s next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for Sept. 23, 2025.

Based on government records, around 6,200 drug suspects were killed during the Duterte administration's anti-drug operations. Human rights organizations, however, say that the number may reach 30,000 due to the unreported related slays. —VAL, GMA Integrated News