Duterte’s ICC trial seen shaping voter standards
By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, Reporter
THE upcoming trial of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) could influence how Filipinos judge political leaders, with analysts saying the case might reset expectations on accountability and governance.
Roland G. Simbulan, who heads the Center for People Empowerment in Governance, said the proceedings carry long-term implications for the country’s legal system and leadership standards.
“We will be challenged to fix our own legal system so that it will render justice and accountability to our own people so that we don’t have to go to foreign courts to fix our problems,” he said by telephone.
He added that voters might begin to demand leaders who uphold human rights and practice consultative governance, rather than those who rely on fear or rhetoric.
Joy G. Aceron, convenor-director of transparency group G-Watch, said the ICC’s confirmation of charges signals that violence cannot be justified as state policy.
“This tells leaders in the Philippines and abroad that the use of violence that violates human rights is never an answer to any issue,” she said via Facebook Messenger. “Filipinos will be reminded that power in government is bound by a social contract.”
Mr. Duterte, the first former Southeast Asian leader held in ICC detention, faces charges linked to 49 counts of murder and attempted murder tied to anti-drug operations carried out from his time as Davao City mayor through his presidency.
Prosecutors allege a coordinated campaign targeting thousands of suspected drug offenders, while the defense has disputed the claims, arguing that the evidence is circumstantial and does not establish a unified criminal plan.
Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman has sought to appeal the ICC’s confirmation of charges, arguing that the court applied an overly flexible standard in defining the case.
The ICC Trial Chamber III is also reviewing whether Mr. Duterte should remain in custody or be released temporarily as proceedings move forward.
The chamber, composed of judges from the UK, South Korea and France, has scheduled a status conference on May 27 to set timelines for the trial.
Analysts said the case could serve as a long-awaited step toward justice for victims of the drug war.
“People have been waiting for a long time, especially the victims and their relatives,” Mr. Simbulan said.
Voltaire Bohol, president of the August Twenty-One Movement, said the proceedings could also shift public attitudes toward political impunity.
“We never had true accountability after the 1986 EDSA revolution,” he said in a Viber message, referring to the popular street uprising that ousted President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr.
He noted that past leaders accused of abuses were rarely prosecuted, allowing cycles of impunity to persist.
“This ICC decision is a big step in the direction towards accountability,” he said.
Analysts said the outcome of the trial might not only affect the political future of Mr. Duterte and his allies but also shape how voters evaluate candidates in future elections, particularly on issues of human rights, rule of law and governance.
