Malacañang stated on Monday that it is not for former President Rodrigo Duterte to declare himself a hero or worthy of a monument, emphasizing that such recognition should be determined by the public.
"Siguro po ang pagdideklara ng isang tao na hero ay dapat hindi po siya ang nagsasabi noon – taumbayan ang magsasabi kung siya ay naging hero at pagawan siya ng monumento," Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Usec. Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
The former President, during a thanksgiving event with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong, suggested that his supporters contribute to building a statue in his honor.
He made this remark amid speculations that the International Criminal Court (ICC) already issued an arrest warrant for him.
"Kung ganito na talaga ang swerte ko sa buhay, okay lang tatanggapin ko ‘yan. Wala tayong magawa. Hulihin tayo, ikulong tayo," Duterte mentioned.
Duterte then jokingly suggested that OFWs contribute $5 or $10 each to fund the construction of a monument for him, to be placed next to the statue of national hero José Rizal, once he is released from prison.
He further questioned the nature of his alleged crime, asserting that his only action was ensuring peace and security for the Filipino people.
Castro emphasized that Duterte's admissions during the Quad-Committee and Senate hearings serve as a reflection of his wrongdoings.
During a House Quad-Committee session last October, the former president reaffirmed his commitment to taking full legal responsibility for the drug war under his administration.
"There should be a due process. We have to give the suspect/any accused the right for this due process – hindi tayo dapat laging cut the process. At ang sabi niya, bakit daw ginawa iyon? Para mabilis maresolba ang problema. [Inaudible] mabawasan agad ang problema, hindi ganoong pamamaraan – hindi pa ba iyon kasalanan?" Castro explained.
"Maybe sa mga taong hindi nabiktima ng EJK at bloody ‘tokhang’ maaaring nagpupunyagi at pumapalakpak pero paano naman po iyong mga namatayan at iyong pamilya na nawalan ng kanilang mahal sa buhay dahil lang sa walang due process na ibinigay sa kanila," she added.
Meanwhile, Castro revealed that they have not yet received a physical copy of the arrest warrant reportedly issued by the ICC against Duterte.
