OCTA survey on PH rejoining ICC shows public wants justice —Conti

A lawyer on Wednesday said she believes that the results of an OCTA survey, showing that the majority of Filipinos are in favor of rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), indicates that the public is hungry for justice.

“Para po sa amin, ang tingin nga namin dito ay uhaw ang tao sa hustisya at tinitignan nila ang isang international court para magbigay ng hustisya na maaaring hindi nila natagpuan sa Pilipinas o kaya hindi nila maabot dito,” ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti said on Balitanghali. 

(For us, we believe that this shows that people are thirsty for justice, and they are looking to an international court to provide the justice that they may not have found or may not be able to attain here in the Philippines.)

The Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey, conducted from April 20 to 24, showed that 57% of Filipinos want the country to rejoin the ICC while 37% are opposed to the move, and 6% remain undecided.

A total of 1,200 male and female respondents aged 18 and above were interviewed face-to-face for the study.

Conti said they support this move, especially since there is a pending case before the international tribunal. 

A general view of the International Criminal Court on the day former president Rodrigo Duterte arrives at Rotterdam The Hague Airport after his arrest at the request of the ICC, in The Hague, Netherlands, March 12, 2025. REUTERS/ Wolfgang Rattay

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently under the custody of the ICC to face his crimes against humanity case over his controversial war on drugs.

“Kailangan lang pumirma ng Pilipinas dito sa treaty pero kailangan ito aprubahan ng two-thirds of the Senate, same as with the other treaties. Ito ‘yung Senate concurrence. At saka, kumbaga sasabihin kumpleto na ayon sa aming batas ang pag-sang-ayon, both ng executive at ng legislative, sa pagpasok sa treaty na ito,” she said.

(The Philippines only needs to sign the treaty, but it must also be approved by two-thirds of the Senate, same as with other treaties. This is called Senate concurrence. And then, it’s like saying that under our laws, both the executive and legislative have fully agreed to enter into this treaty.)

“Simple kasi pipirma tapos ire-rehistro ‘yung ganitong pagsali muli, pero komplikado dahil may kaunting politika ito,” she added.  

(It’s simple because you just sign and register to participate again, but it becomes complicated because there’s a bit of politics involved.)

Asked if rejoining the ICC will affect Duterte’s crimes against humanity case before the ICC, Conti said there may be effects.

She said that should the Philippines rejoin the ICC, the government will be obligated to cooperate in investigations, cooperate with the serving of arrest warrants, and may affect matters of detention. 

Meanwhile, in a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Conti said that the document containing the charges against the former president will be released on July 4, Friday.

“Ito ang paghahandaan niya para sa tugon niya sa September 23,” Conti said.

(This is what he is preparing for in his response on September 23.)

She explained that only Duterte’s identity was confirmed during the initial hearing.

The confirmation of charges against Duterte is set on September 23. —KG, GMA Integrated News