Sen. Alan Cayetano Files Resolution Seeking for Grant of Duterte’s ICC Interim Release
ALAN CAYETANO – A lawyer claimed that the resolution of the Senator calling for former President Rodrigo Duterte’s house arrest is allegedly based on “hearsay”.
Several family members of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte recently claimed that the 80-year-old former Chief Executive is “skin and bones” now amid his detention in The Hague, Netherlands. He is under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) wherein he is faced with an allegation of crimes against humanity.
The ex-wife of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, Elizabeth Zimmerman, said he has become so thin to the point of “skin and bones” already because he lost appetite on food. He claims that they serve him the same foods inside the ICC detention facility. He also does not exercise and spends most of his time sleeping and watching television.
While the recent updates about the physique of the former President sparked concerns among many people, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that she prefers the slim physique of her father now. According to her, his previously physique with a huge belly looks unhealthy for his heart.
The Vice President assured their supporters that they understand their concern for the President but stressed his weight loss is just due to a loss of appetite. She also claimed that her father has already given one of his last wishes in case he dies during detention.
According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, it is a last wish of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte “to be cremated” if he dies during ICC detention in The Hague, Netherlands. He wants only his ashes to be brought home to the Philippines.
Recently, amid the concerns of many supporters of the former President, Sen. Alan Cayetano filed a resolution seeking for former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s house arrest. The resolution wants the Philippine government to call for the grant of the ICC interim release of the former Chief Executive.
Cayetano believes that the Philippine government should extend courtesy to its former leader. He stressed the deteriorating health, old age, and the prolong social isolation of former Pres. Duterte as the reasons behind the call.
According to the Senator, to deny the former President of time with his family in his twilight years is allegedly an injustice. He wants a house arrest for his former boss at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague while he awaits the trial.
However, a lawyer believes that the resolution of Sen. Alan Cayetano is unlikely to be heard by the International Criminal Court. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, human rights lawyer Atty. Kristina Conti stressed that it is not for the Senate to look for a compromise on the case.
“Una, mayroon bang kapasidad, may awtoridad ba, kikilalanin ba itong resolusyon na ito ng ICC? Sa puntong ito, hindi — actually sa kahit anong punto hindi kikilalanin ng ICC ang ganitong resolusyon na parang nangingialam sa kaniyang mga proseso,” the lawyer said.
Based on the report, the lawyer also claimed that the resolution of Sen. Alan Cayetano seemingly lacks proof of the medical status of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. She stressed that the Senator has not even visited the former President to personally see his situation inside the ICC detention facility.
“Mahirap naman po na isang third party pa nga. Walang kinalaman si Senator Alan Peter Cayetano sa sitwason ni Duterte ngayon, walang pruweba na nakabisita siya at puro hearsay kumbaga ang kaniyang basehan,” Conti said.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte explained his ICC detention to his 12-year-old grandson.