Palace on Duterte bid for interim release: PH doesn't recognize ICC

Malacañang maintained Thursday that the Philippine government does not honor the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over the country.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro insisted this when asked about the talks on the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

ICC spokesperson Dr. Fadi El Abdallah said the Philippines has to accept technical measures and conditions for the judges to order the potential interim release of the former president.

''With that, does it mean that we have to recognize that ICC has jurisdiction over the Philippines? I believe the family of former President Duterte is asking and praying from the Supreme Court that the government should not cooperate with the ICC. So, it means that if we will not cooperate with the ICC, even that prayer or even that manifestation of the ICC, we will not recognize as of that,'' Castro said.

''Though it’s hypothetical, but as we speak now, we do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Philippines. So, that’s it,'' she added.

Castro also said other issues would also arise if the Philippines will choose to cooperate with the ICC as regards the matter.

''Although, that’s hypothetical, sasabihin natin na makikipag-cooperate tayo sa ICC pagdating po sa interim release dahil lahat po ng isyu diyan ay mabubuksan. Mabubuksan din po kung magkakaroon ng freeze order sa kaniyang mga assets,'' Castro said.

(Although, that's hypothetical, if we say that we will cooperate with the ICC about the interim release, other issues will arise, including the freeze order of the assets.)

''Gugustuhin po ba din ng pamilya Duterte na makipag-cooperate tayo sa ICC para lahat ng kanilang assets, nakatago man o hindi nakatago, ay makikipagtulungan tayo sa ICC para mahagilap lahat ng kanilang assets,'' she added.

(Will the Duterte family agree that we will cooperate with the ICC so that their assets, including those that are hidden or not, will be exposed.)

Abdallah earlier said that Duterte’s bid for interim release needs to be discussed before the judges.

Philippine authorities on March 11 assisted the Interpol in serving a warrant of arrest from the ICC against Duterte for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.

After his arrest, Duterte was brought to the Hague in the Netherlands.

Duterte on March 13 (Philippine time) entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison where he is set to be held while awaiting trial.

The next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for September 23, 2025. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News