Sen. Imee Marcos Seeks Punishing of “Extraordinary Rendition”
IMEE MARCOS – The Senator filed the “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Bill” inspired by the arrest and the transfer of custody of the former Chief Executive.
The controversial arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has divided the Filipino populace. Even the government officials have different takes on the unexpected turn of events last March 11. The former Chief Executive was arrested by the Philippine authorities upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
On the same day of his arrest, Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai. There were claims that the former President’s arrest was allegedly illegal. He remains in detention for over 100 days now.
According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s wish if he dies during his ICC detention is for his remains “to be cremated”. He wants only ashes to be brought home to the Philippines. One of those who believe that the arrest and the transfer of the custody of the former President to the ICC is allegedly illegal is presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos.
Sen. Imee Marcos sided with the Duterte family in the controversial turn of events last March 11 even if Pres. Bongbong Marcos, her brother, was criticized over the matter. According to her, she cannot accept what was done to former Pres. Duterte. She launched a Senate investigation on the controversial turn of events.
Following the arrest of Duterte, the Filipino populace witnessed a tie that is stronger than ever between the Senator and Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The daughter of former Pres. Duterte even endorsed the presidential sister in the 2025 Senatorial Race.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also told Sen. Imee Marcos to bring home her father to the Philippines. The presidential sister and Senator also went to The Hague and talked to the lawyer of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
Recently, Sen. Imee Marcos filed the Senate Bill No. 557 or the “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Act” that seeks to punish individuals who will be found guilty of “extraordinary rendition” of persons to a foreign jurisdiction. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, she believes that if it was done to the former President, it may be committed against other individuals.
“What took place on that fateful day was an extraordinary rendition—the [transfer] without due process of a detainee to the custody of a foreign jurisdiction,” the Senator claimed.
According to Sen. Imee Marcos, it is important to make it clear that arresting an individual for the transfer of his/her custody to a foreign jurisdiction without an order or an arrest warrant issued by a Philippine court is against the law. Based on the report, the PRRD Bill seeks to prevent extraordinary rendition or the transfer of the custody of an individual without a voluntary and written consent or an order by a Philippine court.
If the PRRD Bill is passed into a law, committing a violation against it may be subject to an imprisonment between six (6) to 20 years and six months in jail and Php 10 million fine. Furthermore, the measure also allows the freezing of properties.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte spoke on Sen. Imee Marcos meeting the lawyer of her dad.