The official spokesperson of the Marcos administration, Undersecretary Claire Castro, couldn’t help but ask if the camp of Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has already admitted that the former Chief Executive has indeed committed a crime. This pronouncement is done on the heels of the recent request of the Duterte legal team at the International Criminal Court to release the former president from incarceration at The Hague, Netherlands.

The Duterte defense team, through his counsel Nicolas Kaufman, sought an interim release of the former President as they argued he is not a flight risk, won’t commit further crimes, and that an undisclosed member state of the ICC is ready to receive him.

“So, in one way or another, the counsel admitted that the former President had committed such crimes – just a question – because they will include that in their motion or petition, Mr. Duterte will not continue to commit crimes. So, is there an admission here?” Castro questioned.

Castro, however, said that she hopes the ICC will grant the request of the defense team.

“If that’s their strategy, sana lang po ay mapaniwala nila iyong mga ICC judges, at huwag nilang masabi later na ang kanilang mga ipinangako dahil may pangako sila sa kanilang petisyon ay masabing nagbibiro lang sila katulad nang nangyari sa pangako sa jet ski. But anyway, kanila pong strategy iyan at hayaan na lang po natin ang ICC ang mag-determine kung sila ba ay paniniwalaan at kung maga-grant iyong kanilang request for interim release,” the Palace spokesperson stressed.

According to the rules of the Rome Statute, an accused may lodge an interim release with the ICC chambers, which is part of the due process.

On Imee as Sara's hostage

Meanwhile, Castro coined the agreement between Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos as a hostage, when the Vice President told a crowd in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia recently that the President’s sister has the responsibility to bring back the Former President, who was allegedly sent by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to jail in The Hague.

“Is it what the VP said that she is holding Senator Imee hostage? Well, it’s their accord. The President has no participation whatsoever in that. The President is not privy to the contract or agreement between a user and a person willing to be used. The President is focused on his job,” according to Castro.

The young Duterte even stated that Imee will remain as her “hostage” until her father is released, and would drop her once his father returns to Davao City.

Questionable poll results

Castro also hit VP Duterte’s allegations that the result of the 2025 Senatorial Elections was manipulated and rigged.

“In this matter, they are just dreaming, which is free. So, whatever the result (of the 2025 elections), they should respect that,” she said.

The Vice President alleged in Kuala Lumpur that upon consultation with IT experts, she has been informed that the results of the elections are flawed, claiming that three more candidates from Partido Demokratiko Pilipino actually “won”.

“What we are seeing is that they want to destroy even the institution (Commission on Elections) and the credibility of the election. That’s what they want to do. As expected, they will not say anything good when it comes to what the government is doing and the government itself. What I am saying is that it’s better to work than to have a vacation,” Castro said, hitting VP Duterte for flying to Malaysia to celebrate the 127th Independence Day last 12 June. (RAFFY AYENG)