Robin Padilla arrives at SC, joins signature campaign for ex-Pres. Duterte

Senator Robin Padilla on Wednesday joined protesters outside the Supreme Court on the anniversary of the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte to urge the court to act on pending petitions regarding his transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The supporters filed with the court the second batch of their signature campaign, with the first submitted in February.

“Ako po ay nandidito bilang miyemrbo ng PDP. Pangatlo, ako po ay nandidito para samahan ang aking mga kasama sa Tay Kami Naman,” he said in an ambush interview.

(I am here as a member of the PDP. Third, I am here to accompany my colleagues in Tay Kami Naman.)

“Isang taon na ho. Medyo nangangamba na ho ang maraming nagmamahal kay Digong dahil isang taon na ho siya doon. Kaya nangalap po kami ng mga tunay na pirma, tunay na mga tao na pumirma para ipakita po sa SC na naghahangad na po kaming lahat ng desisyon nila,” he added. 

(It has already been one year. Many who love Digong are starting to worry because he has been there for one year. That is why we gathered genuine signatures from real people to show the SC that we are all already hoping for their decision.)

To recall, Duterte was arrested in March 2025 on charges of crimes against humanity before the ICC for killings during his time as Davao mayor and president. 

LOOKING BACK: When Rodrigo Duterte was arrested for crimes against humanity

Shortly after, Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa asked the SC to prohibit the Philippine government from cooperating with the ICC and Interpol.

Duterte's  children — Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte — have also filed petitions before the court.

The petitions are still pending with the SC.

According to Padilla, he is one of the first signatories in the campaign.

Supporters said that 76,000 signatures was filed for the second batch, totalling to around 238,000 signatures submitted. 

“Ibig sabihin po nito, marami pong tao ang nagmamahal kay Tatay Digong at humihingi ng hustisya. At ito po ay mga totoong tao. Hindi po ito magic na pumirma lang kung sino-sino,” he said.

(This means that many people love Tatay Digong and are asking for justice. And these are real people. These are not just random people magically signing.)

Padilla also maintained that he and other supporters do not recognize the ICC.

“Kami lahat, lalo na ako, Pilipinas ito. Eh, dapat hindi nga dinala doon si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Pero syempre, kami naniniwala na dapat nasa jurisdiction ng SC,” he said.

(All of us, especially me, this is the Philippines. He should not have been taken there, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. But of course, we believe that it should be under the jurisdiction of the SC.)

From February 23 to 27, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I held Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing. The court will decide whether to confirm the charges and commit him to trial, stop the proceedings, or to direct further investigation.—AOL, GMA Integrated News