VP Sara Duterte says father's case exposes ICC's 'agenda', cites Rome Statute exits

Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday claimed that the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte has exposed what she described as the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) interests and agenda, as she cited countries that have announced plans to withdraw from the Rome Statute.

Asked to comment on claims that the ICC is facing an “existential crisis” following announcements by countries such as Chad and Venezuela regarding their withdrawal from the Rome Statute, Sara said the proceedings involving her father have shown the kind of institution the ICC is.

“Nakikita na ngayon ng buong mundo kung anong klaseng organization ang ICC. At napakita natin through the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte kung anong klaseng institution ang ICC.”

(The whole world can now see what kind of organization the ICC is. Through the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte, we have shown what kind of institution the ICC is.)

Sara also reiterated her allegation that politics influenced the case against the former president.

“Kahapon sa rally, malinaw nating naipakita kung sino ang nagsimula ng lahat. It’s all about politics… Pinakita natin ang subject ng crimes against humanity, which is the drug war program of the government of the Philippines. At ipinakita rin natin na ang taong nag-utos ng imbestigasyon ay may conflict of interest,” she said.

(Yesterday at the rally, we clearly showed who started all of this. It’s all about politics… We showed that the subject of the crimes against humanity case is the Philippine government’s drug war program. We also showed that the person who ordered the investigation has a conflict of interest.)

She also claimed that despite Duterte’s age and health condition, the ICC continues to pursue the case.

“Nakikita natin na pinanghahawakan pa rin nila ang kaso ni President Duterte… 81 years old na siya… marami nang nararamdaman sa kanyang katawan,” Sara said.

(We see that they continue to hold on to President Duterte’s case… He is already 81 years old… and is already experiencing various health issues.)

Sara said she believes the case will become an example for other countries in assessing the ICC.

“Magiging example siya ng iba’t ibang bansa kung ano ang reputasyon at ano ang interes at agenda ng ICC.”

(It will serve as an example to other countries of the ICC's reputation and the interests and agenda it pursues.)

Meanwhile, the Vice President added that she had asked Duterte’s lawyers to seek information from authorities about what caused the skin irritation after the former president said he could not explain how it developed. —LDF, GMA News