Security concerns about the request of detained Senator Leila de Lima to join the Supreme Court oral arguments on the Philippines’ proposed withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) can be addressed through a teleconference, Senator Francis Pangilinan said.
“We have been informed only [during Tuesday’s] oral arguments that the Supreme Court denied the MR we filed last Thursday asking that Sen. Leila be allowed to present our arguments against the ICC withdrawal via teleconference,” Pangilinan said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The technology already exists to respond to the security concerns the Court raised on having Sen. Leila argue our case,” he added.
Pangilinan said that while they respect the Court’s decision, De Lima could have exercised her rights if she was allowed to join the oral arguments.
“A favorable decision would’ve upheld Sen Leila’s fundamental right to speak for herself while addressing the unjust situation of granting Christmas, birthday, and graduation furloughs to other persons charged with non-bailable offenses,” he said.
“But while regrettable, we abide by the Court’s decision,” he explained.
On Friday, the Supreme Court denied De Lima’s motion for reconsideration which asked that the detained senator be allowed to participate in the oral arguments on the government’s decision to withdraw from the ICC.
The High Tribunal said De Lima is charged with a non-bailable offense, and therefore, would not be allowed to join.
Opposition senators did not attend the oral arguments on Tuesday, saying in a manifestation that they still need to decide about representation. /muf
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