Philippine Senate appeals for Duterte house arrest
Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Senate has adopted a non-binding resolution urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place detained former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian reasons.
Fifteen out of 24 senators on Wednesday, Oct. 1, voted to pass the resolution “expressing the sense of the Senate requesting the International Criminal Court to hold former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian considerations.”
Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges of crimes against humanity over alleged extrajudicial killings committed during his tenure as Davao City mayor and later as Philippine president under his bloody war on drugs.
The resolution, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, cited the 80-year-old former President’s “old age and deteriorating health.”
“Walang political color ito. It’s just for humanitarian reasons. I know some of the families who are victims will probably be angry at me and I understand that,” Zubiri said in his sponsorship speech.
The measure pointed out that the ICC’s own Rules of Procedure and Evidence allow interim release for persons being tried under specific conditions such as staying at a particular address, not contacting victims or witnesses, and appearing when summoned.
According to the Senate website, resolutions have “no effect and force of a law” and are used “occasionally to express the opinion of a single house on a current issue.”
How the senators voted
Only three senators voted against, two abstained, while four were absent during the voting.
Here’s the breakdown of votes;
YES - 15
Alan Cayetano
Bato dela Rosa
JV Ejercito
Jinggoy Estrada
Win Gatchalian
Bong Go
Ping Lacson
Loren Legarda
Imee Marcos
Rodante Marcoleta
Robin Padilla
Erwin Tulfo
Joel Villanueva
Mark Villar
Migz Zubiri
NO - 3
Bam Aquino
Risa Hontiveros
Kiko Pangilinan
ABSTAIN - 2
Tito Sotto
Raffy Tulfo
ABSENT - 4
Pia Cayetano
Chiz Escudero
Lito Lapid
Camille Villar
The vote came just two days after Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, attended the Senate hearing for her office’s proposed 2026 budget. The budget was swiftly approved, after which she met with members of the Senate minority bloc—many of whom are known Duterte allies.
In a press conference, the Vice President accused the ICC of failing to ensure the welfare of her father, stating that he had repeatedly “natumba [collapsed]” due to health concerns. Duterte’s lawyers told the ICC he is suffering from “cognitive impairment.”
Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who voted against the resolution, acknowledged the need to care for elderly and detained Filipinos abroad. However, she stressed that there is no indication the ICC has failed to ensure the health and welfare of those in its custody.
“Kung tunay ngang may sakit ang dating pangulo, hindi ba't ang solusyon ay dalhin sila sa ospital sa The Hague, Netherlands habang binibigyan ng angkop na tulong at suporta mula sa Philippine Embassy doon?” she said.
“Mga kasama, ang mga atrocities ng tinatawag na war on drugs ay hindi mga guni-guni lamang,” she added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, who voted in favor of the resolution, clarified that his decision had nothing to do with personal ties to the former president.
“For a fellow Filipino na nandoon sa napakalayong lugar at nakakulong, I vote yes,” he said.
Senate President Vicente “TIto” Sotto III abstained, stating that he did not want to contribute to further national division, adding that both sides of the issue have equally important arguments.
NewsWatch Plus has reached out to the ICC for comment on the resolution. The court has previously declined to comment on domestic issues and concerns.
