PDP Laban bets detest Duterte arrest

Senatorial candidates of the Duterte-backed PDP Laban on Tuesday expressed vexation over the arrest of former Predsident Rodrigo Duterte, who sits as chairman of the political party. Other senatorial bets also gave their take on the matter.

Reelectionist Senator Bong Go, a longtime aide of Duterte, stressed that the issuance of the warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) was an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines.

“As I have reiterated before, the ICC should not interfere with our domestic affairs. And that is because, aside from the fact that we are no longer a member of the ICC, our domestic courts remain fully operational and independent,” Go said in a statement.

“We leave it up to the lawyers of FPRRD to file the appropriate legal remedies in the Supreme Court,” he added.

The incumbent senator also appealed to authorities to ensure the safety and health of Duterte, whom he said was supposedly scheduled for admission to a hospital tomorrow, March 12, due to a health condition.

“Umaapela ako sa awtoridad na pangalagaan ang kanyang katayuan, unahin ang kanyang kalusugan, at ipagdasal natin ang kanyang kaligtasan. Constitutional right naman po yan ng bawat Pilipino to get proper medical attention when needed,” Go said.

(I’m appealing to authorities to take care of Duterte’s condition, prioritize his health, and let us pray for his safety. It is the constitutional right of every Filipino to get proper medical attention when needed.)

Duterte’s daughter, Veronica "Kitty" Duterte, earlier shared a photo of her father’s medical certificate on Instagram, signed by Dr. Rosa Allyn Sy.

It indicated that the 79-year-old former President consulted for a follow up care for diabetes management, following his arrest. The doctor noted that his “glucose level shot up to 328 despite insulin regimen.”

Due to this, Sy advised that Duterte be admitted to a hospital “to avoid acute diabetes complication of DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis)."

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa and Duterte himself filed a petition asking the Supreme Court (SC) to direct the government to release the former president from detention.

Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta also lamented Duterte’s arrest, saying that the latter only did what’s best for the country and for the people.

“‘Yung pagkakahuli sa kanya, hindi ko alam kung anong authority and under what authority was that. Ang alam ko po ang warrant of arrest ay hindi maaaring issue ng ICC sapagkat wala pa naman yatang pinadalang complaint sa kanya para sagutin ng [dating] Pangulo,” Marcoleta said in an ambush interview.

(As for his arrest, I don't know what under what authority was that done. What I do know is that the arrest warrant cannot be issued by the ICC because I think there was no complaint given for the former President to answer.)

“Samakatuwid, kung walang warrant of arrest at ilalim lang ng red notice ng ICC or Interpol, ay medyo kwestyonable, kaduda-duda ang paraan kung bakit ang dating Pangulo ng bansa ay kanilang dakpin, hulihin. Hindi mabuting patakaran ito,” he added.

(Therefore, if there is no arrest warrant and he was arrested only under a red notice from the ICC or Interpol, the way he was arrested was questionable. This is not a good policy.)

Malacañang had confirmed that Duterte was put under the custody of authorities after getting arrested for crimes against humanity. Authorities served a warrant of arrest against the former president when he arrived in Manila from Hong Kong

Prayers

Senatorial candidate Jimmy Bondoc also called for prayers following Duterte’s arrest.

“Hindi po si Du30 lamang ang pinaglalaban, kundi ang kasarinlan ng Pilipinas. Kung ang karagatan at mga isla ay pinaglalaban natin, patas natin dapat na pinaglalaban ang sarili nating piskalya at hukuman. Wala pong Jurisdiction ang ICC. I will prove this in a longer post. Wala pong ‘grey area.’ Walang jurisdiction ang ICC,” the singer-lawyer said in a Facebook post.

(It is not just Duterte whom we are fighting for, but the independence of the Philippines. If we are fighting for our seas and islands, we should also fight for our own prosecutor and court. The ICC has no jurisdiction. I will prove this in a longer post. There is no ‘grey area.’ The ICC has no jurisdiction here.)

Atty. Raul Lambino, another PDP Laban bet, said that the “act of infamy” done by the government against Duterte will not be forgotten and forgiven.

“Very obviously, a conspiracy to silence & persecute PRRD and all political groups who are truly opposed to the current government is in place to cover up the wrongdoings of the latter! We cannot let the rule of law & the constitutional rights of people enshrined in our constitution be trampled upon for political expediency,” Lambino said in a separate Facebook post.

Senatorial candidate Atty. Jayvee Hinlo also labeled those who were behind Duterte’s arrest as “traitors.”

“I condemn those Filipinos who have plotted & acted to surrender our Tatay Digong to a foreign Court & to deprive him of his Constitutional right to due process under Philippine Law. Sa mata ko, kayo ay mga TRAIDOR,” he said.

Progressive candidates

Meanwhile, the senatorial candidates of the Makabayan Coalition welcomed the arrest of Duterte.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Castro said that Duterte’s arrest is a milestone for the victims of the bloody drug war.

“The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte marks a concrete step towards accountability and justice for the countless victims of his bloody regime. This should serve as a reminder that those responsible for human rights abuses must face the consequences of their actions,” she said.

Gabriela Women’s party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, on the other hand, said that the Marcos administration should not let Duterte and other personalities behind the drug war escape the bounds of law.

“Duterte must face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the Marcos administration must ensure that he does not evade justice. At the same time, the government must take the necessary action to ensure that victims’ families can safely come forward and participate in the ICC proceedings—not just to hold Duterte accountable, but also to prosecute other key implementers of his war on drugs, including Vice President Sara Duterte, as well as Bato Dela Rosa and Bong Go, who continue to hold power and even seek re-election in the Senate,” she said.

Bayan Muna chairperson Teddy Casino said that while justice is already within reach of the extrajudicial killing victims,  he noted that there are still challenges ahead.

“This may be a victory, but the fight is far from over. Duterte’s conspirators are still at large. There is still the gruelling trial ahead,” he said. “Maraming buhay ang nawala, at hanggang ngayon, nagpapatuloy pa rin ang mga extrajudicial killings at red-tagging kahit wala  na si Duterte sa pwesto.”

(Many lives were lost and the extrajudicial killings and red-tagging still continue even though Duterte is already out of power.)

For his part, labor leader Leody De Guzman said that he is hoping that the Marcos administration will not use the trial on Duterte as a scheme in the political rivalry between the two families.

“Pero sana maging totoo ang hakbang na ito para sa kapakanan ng mga biktima ng inhustisya sa ating bansa. Huwag mangyari na maging hakbang lang ito ng mga Marcos na pilayin si Duterte para tiyakin ang panalo ng mga Marcoses sa 2025 at 2028 elections at pagkatapos ay magkaka-aregluhan na,” he said.

(But I hope this step will be real for the benefit of the victims of injustice in our country. Don't let this be just a step by the Marcoses to cripple Duterte to ensure the Marcoses' victory in the 2025 and 2028 elections and then everything will be settled.)

Sovereignty

Meanwhile, former senator Gringo Honasan said that he is worried about the country’s sovereignty amid the arrest of Duterte.

“However, the heart of this issue is not about political loyalties—whether one is for Marcos or Duterte. The real issue here is the sovereignty of our nation,” he said.

“What is happening now is a dangerous precedent—one that raises serious questions about our nation’s sovereignty and our ability to uphold our own justice system. The rule of law must prevail. Our justice system must not be dictated by foreign influence or *international pressure,” Honasan added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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