Statement of Malacañang on Talks about PH Rejoining ICC
Malacañang spoke on President Bongbong Marcos after an OCTA Research survey showed that majority of the Filipinos want the Philippines to rejoin in the International Criminal Court or ICC.
The Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC when former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was arrested last March 11. However, the foreign court maintained that there are allegations against the former Chief Executive when the country was still a member.
Duterte was arrested by the Philippine authorities last March 11 upon his arrival from Hong Kong. He is detained under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands for more than 100 days now and is facing an allegation of crimes against humanity for his war on drugs. His camp maintained that the foreign court allegedly has no jurisdiction in the country.
Amid the criticisms following the arrest of the former President and the transfer of his custody to the ICC, Malacañang maintained that the Philippine government only did its job. The PH government also denied coordination with the ICC over the arrest of Duterte.
However, recently, Malacañang said Pres. Bongbong Marcos is open to talks about the Philippines rejoining the ICC. According to Palace press undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, it is based on her last conversation with the Chief Executive.
”Sa aking palagay opo at kaya lang hindi po ngayon napag-uusapan ang bagay na ‘yan pero sa mga ganitong suggestion, open naman po ang Pangulo para po ito ay mapag-usapan,” she said.
Recently, the results of a survey conducted by the OCTA Research showed that majority of the Filipinos support the Philippines rejoining the ICC. Most of the respondents who support it are those Pinoys residing in Balance Luzon, in the National Capital Region (NCR), and in Visayas. Many respondents in Mindanao are against the country rejoining ICC.
Following the results of the survey showing that majority of the Filipinos want PH to rejoin in the ICC, Malacañang admitted that Pres. Bongbong Marcos has yet to raise the issue. Meanwhile, based on a report on GMA News, Palace press undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro assured that the President listens to the sentiments of the Filipino people.
”Sa ngayon, hindi pa po natin pag-uusapan ‘yan. Hindi pa po nababanggit ng Pangulo. Pero ‘yung ganitong sentimyento po ng ating kababayan ay dinidinig naman po ng ating Pangulo,” the Malacañang official said.
Atty. Castro added that the people should just wait for the side of Pres. Bongbong Marcos over the issue of the country rejoining ICC in the coming days. Previously, after the Department of Justice confirmed that it is extending financial aid to the witnesses, Malacañang clarified that the DOJ is not directly cooperating with the ICC.