Lawyer Harry Roque: “Now that he (former President Duterte) is no longer president, he no longer has immunity from suit.”
HARRY ROQUE — The former Presidential Spokesperson said that former President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to face charges against him but before a Philippine court.
Roque said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel that Duterte is ready to face charges against him but only in local courts and not in foreign entities such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Now that he is no longer president, he no longer has immunity from suit,” the former Palace spokesman said. “All those who have gripes or complaints against him should file their criminal complaints before a Philippine prosecutor and if there is probable cause, [he] is willing to face them but before a Philippine court.”
READ ALSO: President Bongbong Marcos Says PH Has No Intention To Rejoin ICC
The former Palace spokesman also said that under “no circumstance” will the former President “allow any foreign prosecutor and foreign judge and foreign court to exercise jurisdiction over him”. He noted that it is consistent with the principle of complementarity.
Roque also said that Duterte brought up the idea of asking the Philippine courts for a restraining order should the International Criminal Court continue to exercise its jurisdiction.
He disclosed that Duterte met with some of his Cabinet members on Monday night wherein Duterte remained “very clear” regarding his position on the ICC. The International Criminal Court is investigating the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs.
Roque said that he, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, former Justice Secretary and now Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, and another representative from the Department of Justice (DOJ) were among the attendees of the said meeting.
On Monday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said that the Philippines has no intention of rejoining the ICC. He also said that the government is already investigating all deaths linked to the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs.
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