PHL exit from ICC has ‘no effect’ on justice system, says Calida

Solicitor General Jose Calida on Monday said the Philippines' withdrawal from the establishing treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no effect on the country's justice system.

"The Philippine justice system functions independently with or without membership in the ICC. Hence, the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute has no effect in our justice system," Calida said in a statement.

Though the Philippines officially left the ICC last week, the tribunal's Office of the Prosecutor has continued its preliminary examination of allegations against President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with his war on drugs.

But the government's chief lawyer claimed that the Philippines' institutions are able to function, investigate and prosecute drug-related cases notwithstanding membership or non-membership in the ICC.

He said 49,034 drug-related cases have been filed in court as of 2018, while there are 75,327 such cases pending in public prosecutor's offices and cases on alleged violations over the drug war before the Supreme Court.

"All these facts show that the government is not unwilling or unable to prosecute these crimes, despite what administration critics say," he said.

Under ICC rules, a case is inadmissible if the state involved is already investigating the alleged crime, unless the state cannot carry out "genuine" proceedings.

Calida also said there are Philippine laws which protect Filipinos' fundamental rights and that the country remains a party to other human rights treaties.

He added that the Philippines "cannot be coerced" to submit to the ICC's jurisdiction, since he said the country has validly withdrawn from the Rome Statute.

He also said the withdrawal will "not affect foreign aid to the country." — BM, GMA News