Palace on ICC membership: It’s DOJ’s duty to ‘explore all legal avenues’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States Babe Romualdez, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil speak with Singaporean businessmen at the 10th Asian Summit. (File photo from PCO)

MANILA, Philippines — The position of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the Philippines’ return to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the same, but all options must still be explored, said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil on Thursday.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently said it was studying the possibility of returning to the ICC.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte previously withdrew the Philippines from the ICC  in 2019 after it criticized his bloody war on drugs.

“The President’s stance on the ICC remains clear and consistent. However, it is the duty of the Department of Justice to explore all legal avenues and ensure that the President is fully informed of his options,” said Garafil in a message to reporters.

“This is standard procedure, not a change in position, ensuring that our administration remains prepared for any scenario,” she added.