VP Sara recalls letter from Marcos on ICC jurisdiction

Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on Thursday recalled receiving a letter from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. dated 15 December 2023, in response to a letter she wrote addressed to the Chief Executive on 4 December 2023.

“Dear Vice President Duterte, this is in reference to your letter, dated 4 December 2023, as well as similar letters sent to the members of Cabinet namely Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla of the Department of Justice and Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on even date with respect to your concerns, legal or otherwise with the conduct of investigation by the ICC into the previous administration’s war on drugs. I remain steadfast in my resolve that the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Philippines, after the effectively of its withdrawal, therefore, is very much in question. To this end, the government will not assist in any way, shape or form. I am certain that all the members of my Cabinet, including yourself, will echo my views on this matter. As my sworn duty, I will continue to defend and assert the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines at all times,” President Marcos wrote, as quoted by the Vice President during the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ motu proprio hearing on the involvement and the roles of the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the various government agencies in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte lamented the administration’s sudden change of tune in its stance on the jurisdiction of the International ICC in the Philippines.

“That is clearly, the Philippine government’s position that there’s cooperation with the ICC. So kinikillala na nila ngayon ang jurisdiction ng ICC na wala naman talaga because this is an extraordinary case rendition,” Duterte said.