Despite a majority of Filipinos urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to have the Philippines rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), Malacañang Palace said the matter has not yet been discussed by the Chief Executive.
“So far, it hasn’t been discussed. The President hasn't mentioned it yet,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
In a survey, 57 percent of Filipinos said they want the country to rejoin the ICC. Thirty-seven percent expressed opposition, while 6 percent remained undecided.
At least 60 percent of respondents living in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, and the Visayas expressed support for rejoining the ICC.
Mindanao, on the other hand, recorded only 30 percent in favor, with 66 percent rejecting the idea.
Meanwhile, Castro said Marcos is aware of public sentiment.
“Our President is listening to these sentiments of our countrymen. So, let's just see in the coming days what the President's attitude will be on rejoining the ICC,” she said.
Talks of rejoining the ICC resurfaced after the Department of Justice confirmed it had placed several witnesses in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte under government protection.
However, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla maintained that the Philippines is not directly cooperating with the ICC.
Castro also reiterated that the Philippines does not currently recognize or cooperate with the ICC, consistent with the country's 2019 withdrawal under the Duterte administration.
In March, Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities assisting Interpol on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with deaths linked to his administration’s controversial drug war.