Remulla: Leila release bolsters stand vs ICC

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday hailed the release of former senator Leila de Lima on bail as a powerful affirmation of the Department of Justice's stance against International Criminal Court interference in the investigation of drug-related deaths during the Duterte administration.

Remulla said De Lima's release only proved the justice system in the country is functioning.    

"Our justice system is working. It was proven when De Lima was allowed to post bail," he said.   

The ICC, he said, had lost jurisdiction over the country following former President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to withdraw the country as a member state.   

De Lima, who was charged in three illegal drugs cases during the Duterte administration, was allowed to post bail last Monday by the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City in her last remaining case.   

Remulla unequivocally dismissed the notion of utilizing the Supreme Court's 2021 ruling as a foundation to permit an ICC investigation. This ruling, which deemed petitions challenging President Duterte's withdrawal from the Rome Statute as moot and academic, cannot be used to justify ICC interference.

Meanwhile, Remulla dismissed the call of a United Nations expert on climate change and human rights, recommending the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).