Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is maintaining his position that the Philippines will not rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Hindi pa rin po tayo magre-rejoin sa ICC,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters in New York City.
[Translation: We will still not rejoin the ICC.]
Castro did not elaborate on the reason behind the president’s decision.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2018 under then-president Rodrigo Duterte, with the move taking effect in 2019.
Duterte is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Meanwhile, Akbayan Party criticized Marcos’ continued refusal to restore the country’s membership in the ICC.
Akbayan Party President Rafaela David said the president’s stance reflects an attempt to balance political pressures.
“On the ICC, Marcos Jr. is trying to appease both Duterte loyalists at home and the international community abroad. But this double game will fail. His attempt to please everyone comes at the expense of justice and will end up pleasing no one,” David said.
“There is only one true side on this matter; the side of justice,” she added.
David said Marcos cannot claim to support justice while refusing to rejoin the international tribunal tasked with prosecuting crimes against humanity.
“That contradiction is becoming clearer by the day,” she said.
Akbayan urged the government to take a clear position by rejoining the ICC to demonstrate the Philippines’ commitment to international law and accountability.
“The Filipino people deserve clarity and courage from their leaders, not hedging and half-measures. A government cannot stand with one foot in justice and the other in denial. Sooner or later, it will have to choose,” David said.
