De Lima case proves ICC need not meddle with PH justice system – Sen. Marcos

Sen. Imee Marcos (SENATE PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday said that the grant of bail to former senator Leila de Lima proves there is no need for the International  Criminal Court (ICC) to meddle with the country’s justice system.

“The independence of the judiciary is present and true. Our court is a court of law and justice, oblivious of personalities or any political noise,” Marcos said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Sen. De Lima’s bail yesterday was a testament to that,” she pointed out.

After nearly seven years, De Lima walked out of her detention cell at Camp Crame in Quezon City on  Monday after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court granted her petition for bail over drug-related charges.

“It bolsters my position mula simula pa, that the ICC has no jurisdiction over any Filipino – lalo na kay PRRD. It has no business meddling with our justice system,” Marcos pointed out.

PRRD is former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been accused of committing crimes against humanity before the ICC in connection with his administration’s bloody war on drugs.

Senator Marcos also stressed that her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., does not intervene in the judiciary.

“Walang kinalaman si PBBM  (the President’s initials) sa anumang kaso,”  Sen. Marcos  said in a text message to reporters.

(PBBM has no involvement in any case)

“Kahit sino man hindi maaring makialam sa judiciary (No one can interfere with the judiciary). Let’s protect their independence,”  she added.

De Lima herself thanked the Marcos administration “for respecting the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.”