PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to discuss with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Department of Justice (DoJ) said Friday.
In a Palace briefing, DoJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano 4th said there was no official communication yet between Marcos and the DoJ regarding the ICC investigation.
“I don’t believe that the secretary and the President have spoken yet. I believe it’s something that has to be discussed between the secretary and the President,” Clavano told reporters.
“They have discussed many things in the past. But they haven’t talked about the issue,” he added.
Last week, the President announced that his administration is studying the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the ICC, which could open the door for ICC prosecutors to probe and prosecute former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Marcos’ statement came after resolutions were filed at the House of Representatives urging the government to cooperate with the ICC.
In 2019, the Philippines under Duterte withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, after the tribunal began a probe into the government’s anti-drug war. It was followed by a formal inquiry later that year.
In January this year, the ICC authorized the reopening of the inquiry that was suspended in November 2021.
In July, the ICC’s Appeals Chamber denied the government’s appeal against the resumption of the inquiry.
After his election as president last year, Marcos had shunned the ICC probe, saying that the court had “no jurisdiction” over the Philippines, and the investigation it was pursuing was a “threat to the country’s sovereignty.”
Opened in 2002, the ICC is the world’s only permanent court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling.
The possibility of the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sparked discussions and debates within the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to engage in a conversation with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla regarding this matter, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
DoJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano 4th clarified in a Palace briefing that there has been no official communication between Marcos and the DoJ regarding the ICC investigation. Clavano emphasized the need for a discussion between the secretary and the President to address this issue.
While the President’s administration is currently studying the possibility of rejoining the ICC, it is important to note that this move could potentially open the door for ICC prosecutors to investigate and prosecute former president Rodrigo Duterte. The announcement from Marcos followed the filing of resolutions at the House of Representatives, which urged the government to cooperate with the ICC.
Back in 2019, the Philippines, under Duterte’s leadership, withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The withdrawal was prompted by the ICC’s decision to initiate a probe into the government’s anti-drug war. Subsequently, a formal inquiry was conducted later that year.
In January of this year, the ICC authorized the reopening of the suspended inquiry, and in July, the ICC’s Appeals Chamber rejected the government’s appeal against the resumption of the investigation.
Since assuming the presidency, Marcos has taken a firm stance against the ICC probe, asserting that the court has “no jurisdiction” over the Philippines and that the investigation poses a threat to the country’s sovereignty.
The International Criminal Court, established in 2002, is the world’s only permanent court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Its primary objective is to prosecute the most severe abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
The potential rejoining of the Philippines to the ICC raises important questions about accountability, justice, and the country’s commitment to international law. It remains to be seen how the discussions between President Marcos and Justice Secretary Remulla will unfold, and what implications this decision may have on the future of the ICC’s investigations in the Philippines.
Source: The Manila Times
