Cabinet members of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have reiterated that they did not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which caused the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
During the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing led by Senator Imee Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla insisted that they had not met with any investigators from the ICC who were looking into the war on drugs.
He noted that the only communication they received was a notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) on March 11, requesting assistance in the arrest of the former president.
Remulla admitted that the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the Philippines, but emphasized that its authority still extends to individuals like Duterte, who face charges of Crimes Against Humanity, citing humanitarian law upheld globally today.
"International humanitarian law is something adopted. The principles are adopted by more than 150 countries throughout the world," Justice Secretary Remulla stated.
Moreover, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor 'Jonvic' Remulla and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año have denied any grand conspiracy behind the arrest of former President Duterte.
DILG Secretary Remulla revealed that they held a meeting, and the primary basis for the meeting was a statement made by Duterte while he was in Hong Kong, where he learned from news reports that an arrest warrant had been issued against him by the ICC.
Año remarked that it was emotionally difficult for him to see the former president arrested, a person he had worked with and respected for a long time, especially with his name being linked to the alleged grand conspiracy.
He clarified, however, that he is only performing his responsibilities, just as he has consistently done throughout his service as a soldier.
"It is actually unacceptable and unfair that my name is being dragged into an alleged grand conspiracy. I firmly deny any allegations of a grand conspiracy," Año explained.
"In fact, the events in March 11 were spontaneous. As National Secretary Adviser, I was merely doing my job. However, I face all these accusations against my honor and integrity with full resolve, knowing that I’m on the side of the truth and I was simply doing what I had to do," he added.
Furthermore, he mentioned that his loyalty is to the country's Constitution, not to any individual.
"My loyalty is always to the country, to the Constitution, and not to any person," said Año.
Meanwhile, the Presidential sister, Senator Marcos, strongly questioned the change of stance by her brother, President Marcos Jr., regarding the matter at hand involving Duterte and the ICC.
She pointed out that he had repeatedly stated he would not cooperate with the ICC, but with the arrival of 2025, it seems the wind has shifted.
Vice President Sara Duterte's outburst
Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former President, also appeared at the hearing virtually from the Netherlands and firmly stood by her position that her father's arrest was illegal.
She openly criticized the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for allowing the arrest of a former Commander-in-Chief at their camp in Villamor Air Base.
The younger Duterte firmly maintained that politics is the driving force behind all of this, claiming that the administration is seeking to dismantle the opposition.
"Alam naman nating lahat at alam nila na mali ang ginawa nila. Ginawa nila ‘yon just to demolish political opponents. This is all about politics. The administration is using government resources [and] the ICC to demolish the opposition," Vice President Duterte stated.
"Ang tanong ngayon, ano ang gagawin natin para maibalik ang dating pangulo sa Pilipinas kasi nagiisa ako ngayon dito na gumagawa ng paraan para maibalik ang ating dating pangulo sa ating bayan," she added.
On March 11, the 79-year-old Duterte was arrested by authorities after an arrest warrant was issued by the ICC. He was subsequently transferred to The Hague in the Netherlands.
He faces charges of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
The Malacañang had previously highlighted that just hours before Duterte's arrival in the country, Interpol Manila received an official copy of the ICC warrant. This prompted the Prosecutor General of the Department of Justice to execute the warrant.
On Friday, he attended his first ICC hearing via video link, during which he was informed of the crimes he is accused of and made aware of his rights as a defendant.
The confirmation hearing for the charges against him is scheduled for September 23, 2025.
