SC allows SolGen to again represent gov’t in SC petitions over Duterte arrest

The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to resume its role as counsel for the government in petitions filed over the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, Netherlands.

In a statement, the High Court said the SC En Banc granted the manifestation with an entry of appearance filed by the OSG during its session on Wednesday.

To recall, the OSG under former Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra recused itself from petitions filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte's children, who are seeking his release and return from The Hague, Netherlands.

In recusing itself, the OSG stated it “may not be able to effectively represent respondents in these cases” due to its firm stance that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte’s lawyer, Atty. Paolo Panelo has said that it does not matter who represents the government.

“Because you cannot defend the indefensible. Treason cannot be disguised as international cooperation, and submission to the Constitution cannot be optional. Former Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra got it right the first time,” he said in a statement.

In March, the former president was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for alleged crimes against humanity.

He is now detained at The Hague, Netherlands.

The ICC Appeals Chamber recently denied Duterte’s appeal on the rejection of his request for interim release.

Government records show that there were at least 6,200 drug suspects killed in police operations from June 2016 to November 2021, but several human rights groups have refuted this and say that the number may have reached as much as 30,000 due to unreported related killings. —VAL, GMA Integrated News