Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero expects the International Criminal Court (ICC) to respect the rights of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte as he faces charges of “crimes against humanity" in The Hague, Netherlands.

“The peaceful and orderly service of the Interpol warrant — carried out without incident — reflects our nation’s commitment to upholding international agreements, as well as the maturity, civility, calm, and professionalism of all those involved: our law enforcement authorities, former president Rodrigo R. Duterte, his lawyers, and his supporters,” Escudero told reporters on Wednesday.

Escudero also expects The Hague to afford due process to Duterte "in accordance with the Rule of Law."

“This development will undoubtedly elicit diverse reactions shaped by differing perspectives on the allegations against the former president, from the families of victims of extra-judicial killings to his loyal supporters,” he said.

Escudero stressed that debate and disagreement are a natural part of democratic discourse.

“Debate and disagreement are natural in a democracy, but as we move forward, I urge our kababayan to approach this moment with the restraint and respect displayed yesterday by the protagonists from both sides,” he added.

Meanwhile, Escudero appealed to 2025 midterm election candidates to avoid exploiting the issue for political gain.

“I also call on those running in the midterm elections to refrain from using this issue to fan the flames of partisanship in order to further their candidacies, as this is a serious issue that involves lives and should not be trifled with for petty personal or political gain,” he said.

He emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging political leaders to focus on the broader picture.

“It is in our nation’s best interests to demonstrate our strength not by division, but by our capacity to rise above our differences and to collectively and peacefully uphold justice and accountability,” he added.