Here’s a bombshell: despite the ongoing legal battles, the Philippine government is legally free to coordinate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte. But here’s where it gets controversial—while the Supreme Court (SC) reviews petitions challenging Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the ICC, a Justice official has confirmed there’s no law explicitly barring such cooperation. And this is the part most people miss: even though the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, no legislation declares coordinating with international tribunals unconstitutional.
In a recent interview, DOJ spokesperson Adrian Martinez clarified, ‘Legally, there’s no prohibition against working with the ICC. That’s why the petitions are before the SC—to determine if Duterte’s arrest was valid.’ Yet, the DOJ opts to await the SC’s ruling, a move Martinez calls ‘prudent.’ This stance comes amid revelations that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla met with ICC investigators in 2025 during his tenure as Justice Secretary, though Martinez insists no current coordination exists between the DOJ and ICC.
Here’s the twist: Duterte and Senator Ronald Dela Rosa have urged the SC to block government cooperation with the ICC and Interpol, while petitions from Duterte’s children—Kitty, Baste, and Pulong—remain pending. Pulong recently argued their case isn’t moot, keeping the legal drama alive. Meanwhile, Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for alleged killings during his tenure as mayor and president, with formal charges read in February 2025.
This raises a thought-provoking question: Should the Philippines prioritize sovereignty or international accountability in cases like Duterte’s? Let’s spark a debate—do you think the government should cooperate with the ICC, or is this a matter best left to domestic courts? Share your thoughts below!
