SENATORIAL candidates from the Makabayan bloc yesterday pressed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to correct the mistake committed by his predecessor in withdrawing from the Rome Statute six years ago.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and first nominee Sarah Elago asked the President to reverse the country’s course by reaffirming its commitment to respect human rights and renounce crimes against humanity by rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Six years after the Philippines shamefully withdrew from the ICC, justice remains elusive not only for the thousands of victims of the bloody war on drugs but also the activists. Many ranking officials of the previous administration remain at large, untouched despite their crimes. The recent arrest of former President Duterte is just the beginning,” Brosas said.
The Philippines officially withdrew from the ICC on March 17, 2019, following then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s submission of a letter of withdrawal to the United Nations secretary general a year earlier amid the ICC’s preliminary examination into his administration’s war on drugs.
“The Marcos Jr. administration must stop shielding human rights violators and rejoin the ICC as a demonstration of its supposed commitment to human rights and international justice mechanisms,” Elago added.
ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS
Brosas also called for stronger domestic accountability mechanisms to end impunity after thousands died from extrajudicial killings under the Duterte regime.
“Rejoining the ICC is crucial, but equally important is strengthening our own justice system. The culture of impunity persists because perpetrators of violence, especially those in positions of power, are rarely held accountable. We need institutional reforms that will ensure justice for all victims regardless of who the perpetrators are,” she said.
House deputy minority leader France Castro (PL Act Teacher), also aspiring for a Senate seat under Makabayan, said a repudiation of Duterte’s decision in 2019 is a logical move following the arrest of the former president on a charge of crimes against humanity.
“The Duterte trial at the ICC demonstrates precisely why the Philippines must rejoin this crucial international body. Justice for the thousands of victims of the bloody war on drugs would not have been possible without the ICC’s intervention after our domestic justice system failed them,” Castro said.
She stressed that the ICC mechanisms to hold accountable those who abuse power is a key factor in the pursuit of justice by the families of EJK victims.
“The Philippines must return to the ICC not only for the victims of the drug war but for all Filipino citizens. The ICC is not an enemy of our sovereignty but a partner in implementing true justice,” she said.
ACT Teachers nominee Antonio Tinio said the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 was a self-serving move by the Duterte administration to evade accountability for human rights violations.
“The hasty withdrawal from the ICC was never about protecting Philippine sovereignty; it was about protecting Duterte and his cohorts from accountability. Now that justice is finally being served, we must recognize that rejoining the ICC strengthens, not weakens, our democratic institutions,” Tinio said.
“The Philippines’ exit from the ICC was not a decision of the people but of an administration afraid of accountability. It’s time to correct this wrong step,” he said in Filipino.
He said the international court’s proceedings against Duterte have demonstrated observance of due process and an impartial trial, contrary to claims by the former president’s supporters.
Tinio also said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has a historic opportunity to bring the Philippines back to the ICC.
“This would send a powerful message that no one, regardless of position or power, is above accountability,” he said.
Makabayan Senate hopeful Teddy Casiño said the efficiency by which Duterte was arrested and place under the custody of the ICC to face trial is proof that justice denied in the Philippines can be effectively pursued through international judicial bodies.
He said it is also a strong argument for the Philippines’ return to the ICC.
“Mr. Marcos’ refusal to rejoin the ICC taints his stance on global cooperation. He appears more interested in landing a seat in the United Nations Security Council which has been powerless in preventing conflicts and human rights violations. Peace and justice are inseparable. Marcos’ commitment to peace and justice will remain wanting if his government does nothing to rejoin the ICC,” Casiño said.
