FILE PHOTO: Senator Imee Marcos. Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday said it would be a “big shame” for the Philippines to work with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating the brutal campaign against illegal drugs during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an ambush interview in Navotas, the senator gave her reaction to a resolution that urges departments in the executive branch to cooperate with the ICC’s “drug war” investigation.
House Resolution No. 1477 noted that the Supreme Court has already reinforced the ICC’s view that it still has jurisdiction over the Philippines despite the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute – hence, the call for the “full cooperation” of appropriate government departments in the ICC probe.
“It will be a big shame for the Philippines when the ICC enters. Don’t allow yourselves to be influenced like that,” Marcos said in Filipino. She was in Navotas to distribute boats to fishermen.
READ: PH cooperation with ICC needs study – Justice Secretary Remulla
“Isipin ninyo – para ninyo na ring sinurrender ang ating soberanya. Hindi na tayo republika, talagang umaasa na lang tayo sa kanila. Ano ba naman? Ang ating mga korte ang tibay-tibay, eh pinalaya nga si [former] senator Leila de Lima. Eh hindi ba katibayan ‘yun na maayos ang korte at talagang umandar ang hudikatura?” she added.
(Think about it – it’s like surrendering our sovereignty. We’re no longer a republic; we’re just relying on them. What is this? Our courts are strong. After all, [former] senator Leila de Lima was freed. Isn’t that proof that our courts are functioning well and that the judiciary is working?)
READ: Gov’t pressed to cooperate with ICC as Duterte admits using secret funds for EJK
Marcos said Filipinos are now burdened with various problems and that “political chaos” should not worsen the situation.
In a separate statement on Wednesday, the senator pointed out that her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has repeatedly declared that the country will not subject itself to ICC because the Philippines has its own justice system.
“Let’s hold on to that, and he won’t let us down,” the senator said.
READ: Bongbong Marcos: PH won’t rejoin ICC; critics hit decision
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remained confident that House Resolution No. 1477 would not be acted upon, even if approved by the House of Representatives.
Both Duterte and dela Rosa are among the accused in the crimes against humanity case before the ICC. Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during Duterte’s term. The PNP was at the forefront of the implementation of “Oplan Tokhang” – the bloody war on drugs during the Duterte administration.
READ: Duterte, Dela Rosa, others in ICC ‘drug war’ probe told: Skip European countries
“If that resolution is approved by the House of Representatives, it will remain a resolution unless acted upon favorably by the President, who has made clear [his] decision not to allow ICC to intrude our sovereignty,” dela Rosa said on Tuesday evening.
“These gov’t agencies are taking orders from the President and not from Congress,” he added.