NGO asks SC to void Duterte admin’s notice of withdrawal from Rome Statute

Another petition has been filed with the Supreme Court to declare as void the Duterte administration’s notice of withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court which was deposited to the United Nation’s Secretary General last March 17, 2018.

In a 51-page petition, the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) told the High Court that the notice of withdrawal was submitted to the UN without concurrence by the Senate.

They said the High Court should order Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission to the UN to recall the notice of withdrawal.

“The President’s unilateral edict withdrawing the membership of the Philippines in the ICC without benefit of parliamentary concurrence or approval as required under the 1987 Charter, denies Filipinos their right to redress in the event of state default from its obligations, in particular as these pertain to the commission of the most heinous international crimes against its own citizens,” petitioners said.

Petitioner PCICC is a non-government organization composed of individuals and groups that campaigned for the Philippines to become a State party to the Rome Statute.

This is the second petition filed before the Supreme Court seeking the nullification of the government’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the ICC.

The High Court has already scheduled the issue for oral argument on July 24.

The first petition was filed by opposition senators led by Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan together with Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, Franklin Drilon, Antonio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros and  Leila de Lima.   /muf

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