The Philippines has no jurisdiction over any proceedings conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague, Netherlands, Malacañang said on Friday.

“We have no jurisdiction over whatever the ICC does, or its procedures, and after we brought former President Duterte to the ICC, the government will no longer have control or responsibility over him,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters in English and Filipino at a press briefing in Malacañang.

She nevertheless cited Republic Act 9851, which obliges the Philippines to ensure that Filipinos facing trial overseas — particularly a figure like former President Duterte — receive fair legal proceedings.

“But based on RA 9851, because he is a Filipino — not just because he is a former President — the government also needs to make sure that a fair trial is given, especially since Former President Duterte is Filipino,” Castro explained.

Republic Act 9851 aligns Philippine law with international standards on the prosecution of grave crimes of global concern.

Castro also clarified that the expenses for the ICC hearing, including legal counsel, would be borne privately by Duterte.

“Yes. Even the complainants do not have government support because they each have their own lawyers. And as we have said, we have no responsibility or hand in the ICC proceedings,” she said.

On the possible freezing of Duterte’s assets, Castro stated that the government is prepared to comply with any ICC directive in accordance with the law.

“If there is a law that allows us to do so, and they show it to us, we will comply because, as we always say, everything we do must be based on the law,” she noted.