Palace: Duterte’s Eleksyon 2022 Senate bid not linked to ongoing ICC probe on drug war

Malacañang said Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte's 2022 Senate bid is not related to the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) probe over alleged crimes against humanity due to systematic killings of citizens during anti-drug police operations.

"Walang kinalaman sa ICC case [ang kanyang pagtakbo] (This Senate bid has nothing to do with the ICC case)," acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said at a press briefing.

"He wants to continue to be of service to the people since his term as president is about to end," Nograles added.

Opposition lawmakers, including those from the House Makabayan bloc, have  viewed the President's 2022 Senate run as a way to possibly dodge ICC prosecution over drug war killings.

On the other hand, presidential aspirants Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Manny Pacquiao said it is well within Duterte's right to seek a Senate seat to go along with her daughter's bid for the vice presidency next year. 

Legal defense

Meanwhile, Nograles said he is unaware if the President is building a legal defense at this point.

"Not that I know of," Nograles said when asked if the President is already assembling a legal team in connection with the ICC probe.

At least 7,000 drug suspects have been killed under police anti-drug operations, but human rights organizations claimed that the death toll could reach as high as 30,000 if drug-related deaths were done by supposed "vigilante groups." — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News