Metro Manila, Philippines – US President Donald Trump’s call for member countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court will not affect the proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said Wednesday, Sept. 22.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the case continues to move forward, with the parties participating in the proceedings before the court.
“Wala namang epekto,” Castro said when asked whether Trump’s remarks would affect the Duterte case.
[Translation: It has no effect.]
Trump urged ICC members to leave the court during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
“I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately,” Trump said.
He described the ICC as an “out of control institution” and an “evil group of people,” accusing it of conducting what he called show trials through an anti-American tribunal.
Castro said the Philippines respects the US position but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not changed his stance on the country’s possible return to the ICC.
“Hindi pa po napapanahon ang pag-rejoin sa ICC sa ngayon,” she said.
[Translation: Rejoining the ICC is not timely at this point.]
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 and is no longer an ICC member.
Despite the withdrawal, the ICC Appeals Chamber ruled in April that the court retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a state party.
Castro said the complainants, lawyers, prosecutors and Duterte’s defense team continue to participate in the proceedings.
“Pangkalahatan naman ay nakikita nating umuusad ang hearing sa nasabing kaso ni dating Pangulong Duterte,” she said.
[Translation: In general, we can see that the hearings in former President Duterte’s case are moving forward.]
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity over killings allegedly committed during his anti-drug campaign. He denies wrongdoing.
The opening of his trial is on Nov. 30.
