Palace: No PH return in ICC yet

Presidential Spokesperson Claire Castro said that the Philippines has no plans to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC) yet, following the widely-discussed confirmation of charges hearing of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press briefing on March 1, Castro reiterated that the president’s stance is still firm about not returning to the ICC.

“Hindi pa rin natitinag ang kanyang posisyon. Hindi pa po tayo magre-rejoin sa ICC. Sa ngayon po, same position, hindi pa rin tayo magre-rejoin,” the presidential spokesperson said.

On Feb. 23, lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc filed a resolution prompting the Philippines’ return to the ICC.

The resolution states that the return of the country to the ICC is an indication of the Philippines’ respect for human rights and treaty obligations to the international community.

“Reengagement with the ICC would strengthen the country’s global reputation as a rights-respecting democracy, restore international confidence in the Philippines’ legal system and bolster partnerships rooted in justice, good governance, and the rule of law,” the Makabayan bloc said in the resolution.

The country, through ex-president Duterte, withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2018, leading to the country’s membership in the ICC being revoked.