Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, Nov. 28, filed a Senate resolution urging President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation into the alleged crimes and human rights violations during the war on drugs campaign.
Under Senate Resolution No. 867, Hontiveros cited the Supreme Court's ruling in Pangilanan vs. Cayetano, which confirmed that the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute "does not undermine or diminish the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction and power to continue a probe that it has commenced while a state was a party to the Rome Statute."
She added that the withdrawal "does not charge-discharge a state party from the obligations it has incurred as a member. Whatever process was already initiated before the International Criminal Court obliges the state party to cooperate."
BASAHIN: Resolution inihain sa Senado ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros upang himukin ang Malacañang na mag-cooperate sa ICC | via @RaymundDadpaas, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/mN4bdvT2Sh
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 28, 2023
The Senator said history can attest that the Philippines has "been at the forefront of advancing humanitarian law and international justice", adding that it is high time for the country to affirm commitment to these values before the international community.
In a press briefing in Senate, Hontiveros mentioned that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. himself promised to promote human rights and demand high-level of accountability for any violation in his term.
"Cooperating in the investigation is the best way for Malacangan to show its commitment. Tutal, ayon naman sa kanila, possible itong matagal nating hinahangad na cooperation sa ICC, lalo na ang mga biktima ng human rights violation, at ang kanilang mga pamilya," he said.
Last Nov. 24, Marcos said his government is studying the return of the Philippines under the fold of ICC.
For Hontiveros, the recent pronouncements by the President and his allies and deputies "offer hope for a game changer for the families" of drug war victims, Kian delos Santos, Carl Angelo Arnaiz, Reynaldo 'Kulot' de Guzman, and thousands of Filipino families who are seeking justice.
Last week, the House Committee on Justice tackled the filed resolutions which urge the government departments and agencies to "extend their full cooperation" to the ICC.
