Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday downplayed a House resolution calling for government agencies to cooperate with the International Criminal Court on its ongoing investigation into the so-called war on drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Without naming who she is referring to, Senator Marcos lambasted individuals whom she said are advancing their political interests for the next elections.
"Those behind this have been very active in doing a show in the recent three or four weeks. I hope they feel pity for the Philippines," she told reporters in a chance interview.
"We have so many problems. I hope they feel pity for the administration. They feel pity for the Filipinos who are struggling to survive their daily needs despite the higher cost of commodities. Not to mention Christmas is coming too," she added.
On Tuesday, House Committee on Human Rights chairperson Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. filed a resolution urging President Marcos Jr. to cooperate with the ICC on its investigation into the Duterte administration's controversial war on drugs.
Abante's unprecedented move stirred more drama in the House of Representatives which have been the subject of tirades of the older Duterte.
Led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Senator Imee and President Marcos, the House of Representatives condemned Duterte for accusing the lower chamber of being the "most rotten organization."
The lawmakers also condemned the former president for threatening the life of ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro, whom he linked as part of the communist rebel group New People's Army.
'Working perfectly'
Senator Marcos questioned the motive behind the House resolution that pushes the cooperation of government agencies with the ICC.
"Who are the lawmakers pushing for foreign interference in our justice system? Why are they intent upon the subjugation of the independent Philippine judicial system to foreign entities?" she said.
She also reiterated that the judicial system in the Philippines is "working perfectly," setting the release of former Senator Leila de Lima from almost seven years of detention as an example.
"It's a big shame for the Philippines if they would allow the entry of the ICC. We should not let it happen. It is like we already surrendered our sovereignty," she said.
"We are no longer a republic if we rely upon them. Our courts are very strong. Senator De Lima was even released, isn't that proof that our courts and justice system are working?" she added.
The presidential sister also reaffirmed that his brother would not allow the entry of the ICC in the Philippines.
"The question of cooperating with the ICC has been asked of the President many times, and he has consistently said that our courts will not be rendered subordinate to the ICC, and that we are a sovereign nation with its own system of justice," she stressed.
"Let's stand our ground, as the President has done many, many times," she added.
In March, President Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines, under his leadership, would no longer engage with the ICC, after the latter rejected the country's appeal to stop its investigation into his predecessor's war on drugs.
Duterte is accused of committing crimes against humanity before the ICC in relation to his bloody war on drugs that killed at least 7,000 people, according to government data, which was questioned by both local and international human rights groups, stressing that the actual figure is higher than the said numbers.
