THE International Criminal Court (ICC) may sink into oblivion, and prosecutor Fatou Bom Bensouda is to blame, said Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. “It’s a wrong political move, madam prosecutor. You are to blame if the ICC becomes part of history,” Mr. Roque told reporters in a press briefing at the Palace on Thursday, March 15. The spokesman argued that the ICC prosecutor should not have acted on the complaint filed by “politician” Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV alleging that the President has committed “crimes against humanity” in his war on drugs. Mr. Roque said only domestic courts have the jurisdiction to investigate the President. He noted as well that the complementarity principle on which the ICC is based “was not applied.” Mr. Roque explained in a television interview on Thursday morning: “I said that the basis of consent for the 124 states that became a party to the ICC is the principle of complementarity. By becoming a member of the court, the states did not waive their sovereignty but only reserve jurisdiction of the court when domestic courts are unable or unwilling.” The spokesman likewise alleged that the ICC is being “politicized” and “influenced” by some lobby groups, which he described as “a concerted effort” to destabilize the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

ROBREDO
Meanwhile, Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo on Thursday raised alarm over the President’s declaration of the country’s withdrawal from the ICC. In an event in Camarines Sur, Ms. Robredo said that Mr. Duterte’s move will affect global perception and will raise questions on the country’s “commitment” in international agreements. “Ano ba iyong gustong sabihin nito pagdating sa human rights? Ayaw na ba natin na mangako na ia-uphold natin ito? (What does this say about human rights? Don’t we want to commit anymore to uphold it).” She added that the ICC is the “safety net” which protects the people from abuses by the government. — Arjay L. Balinbin and Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

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