VP Sara not keen on guessing reason for calls to join ICC: Leave it to pundits

Vice President Sara Duterte answers questions during an ambush interview on the sidelines of National Children’s Month observance on November 28, 2023 in Taguig city. (Photo from NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte does not want to speculate on the motives behind resolutions in House of Representatives urging government to cooperate with International Criminal Court (ICC).

The international court based in Netherlands is investigating the bloody war against illegal drugs launched by the Vice President’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to the Vice President, she prefers to leave it to the public to analyze the agenda of legislators who filed the resolutions.

“Iwan na lang namin ‘yan sa mga tao na i-analyze. I do not want to speculate sa mga motives ng House of Representatives,” she said in a chance interview.

(We’ll leave that for the people to analyze. I do not want to speculate on the motives of House of Representatives.)

She talked with media on Tuesday at the “Bata, Bida Ka!” (Child, you’re the star) program of Deparment of Education and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Three House Resolutions are calling for government’s full cooperation with ICC.

Two of the measures are being tackled by lawmakers.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently considered the possibility of the country rejoining ICC as a member state.

However, after acknowledging the House resolutions, Marcos reiterated ICC has no jurisdiction to probe his predecessor’s alleged crimes.

For her part, Vice President Duterte on Monday said her office would contact the Department of Justice (DOJ) to present her position on the matter.

Asked for a message to the public, Duterte urged the people to just take note of the political environment.

She believes it is still too early for politicking as the next elections are still years away.

“‘Yung mga mahilig sa pulitika, magmasid sila,” said the Vice President.

(Those who are interested in politics, they should observe.)

“Hindi pa talaga kasi ngayon ang panahon ng pamumulitika dahil napakalayo pa ng 2025, and, syempre, mas malayo pa ang 2028,” she concluded.

(It’s not really the time for politicking now because 2025 is still long way off, and, of course, 2028 is even much further in the future.)