Duterte supporters press SC on arrest petitions

Members of PDP Laban and supporters of the Duterte family took their protest to the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, pressing the high tribunal to act on long-pending petitions challenging the enforcement of International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

Carrying white placards bearing messages such as “SC: JUSTICE DELAY, JUSTICE DENIED” and “SUPREME COURT: JUSTICE DELAY, JUSTICE BAYAD,” the demonstrators expressed frustration over what they described as the court’s prolonged inaction on cases involving the two Duterte allies.

The protest came as Duterte remains detained in The Hague, nearly 600 days after his arrest at the Manila airport in March 2025. His formal trial before the ICC is scheduled to begin on 30 November.

The petitions before the Supreme Court raise questions about the Philippine government’s cooperation with the ICC and whether international arrest warrants can be enforced locally without an order from a domestic court.

Duterte’s children earlier filed consolidated petitions for habeas corpus seeking his release from ICC custody. These remain pending before the high tribunal.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, is seeking protection from possible arrest over his alleged involvement in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

In May 2026, the Supreme Court voted 9-5-1 to reject his request for a temporary restraining order or status quo ante order, ruling that he had failed to establish a clear right to blanket protection from arrest.