Panelo Law, representing petitioner Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, has filed a request with the Supreme Court (SC) to set oral arguments for the habeas corpus petitions concerning former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is still under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.

In a 14-page petition filed on Monday, the younger Duterte argued that their consolidated petitions for her father raise urgent constitutional issues, novel legal questions, and a matter of great public interest and significance.

Duterte raised critical constitutional issues, including whether the former president’s rights under Article III of the 1987 Constitution were violated by his arrest and transfer to The Hague without prior approval from a Philippine court.

Another key issue is whether the separation of powers was violated upon by recognizing or granting jurisdiction to the ICC.

"Oral arguments would provide a transparent platform for this Honorable Court to address the important legal and constitutional issues inherent in this case, and the broader implications thereof, ensuring that the legal reasoning behind its eventual ruling is fully articulated and understood by the public," she added.

Beyond the arguments already stated, Duterte put forward additional issues to be discussed during the oral arguments, including:

• Whether or not the Rome Statute is ineffective and invalid in the Philippines due to its lack of publication in the official gazette or newspaper of general circulation
• Whether or not the consolidated petitions are moot and academic due to the transfer of the former President's custody to the ICC

Besides Kitty, her half-brothers, Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, also appealed to the high court to help bring their father back to the Philippines following his transfer to The Hague.