Philippines Senate Investigates Duterte’s ICC Arrest

Philippines Senate Launches Inquiry into Duterte’s ICC Arrest

The Philippine Senate has initiated an investigation into the recent arrest and extradition of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move that has intensified political tensions ahead of the country’s midterm elections in May.

The inquiry was announced on Monday by Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who emphasized the need to scrutinize whether due process was followed and if Duterte’s legal rights were adequately upheld.

“It is imperative to establish whether due process was followed and to ensure that his legal rights were not just upheld but protected,” stated Senator Marcos, who chairs the Senate’s foreign relations committee. She further stressed that the nation's sovereignty and legal processes must remain paramount, acknowledging that the arrest has deeply divided public opinion.

A public Senate hearing is scheduled for Thursday, where law enforcement authorities and government officials have been summoned to provide testimony.

Duterte Becomes First Asian Ex-Head of State to Face ICC Charges

Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, is the first former Asian head of state to be indicted by the ICC. He faces charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, linked to his controversial “war on drugs,” a campaign that resulted in the deaths of thousands of individuals.

The political landscape in the Philippines has been further unsettled by the fallout between the Marcos and Duterte families. The two political dynasties had formed an alliance in 2022, leading to Marcos Jr.'s presidential victory and Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, assuming the vice presidency. However, their relationship has since fractured, culminating in intense political infighting.

The Duterte camp has openly called for the ousting of Marcos Jr. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte has faced impeachment over allegations of corruption and an alleged assassination plot against the president. Adding to the political turmoil, Rodrigo Duterte himself recently made incendiary remarks, suggesting that senators should be targeted in a bomb attack.

Duterte’s Arrest Sparks Nationwide Protests

Duterte was arrested on March 11 at Manila’s international airport under orders from President Marcos Jr. and subsequently handed over to the ICC, following a request from Interpol. Notably, the Philippines had formally withdrawn from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte’s administration, yet authorities justified the extradition as a compliance measure with international obligations.

The arrest has sparked widespread protests across the country, with Duterte’s supporters demanding his release and return to the Philippines. The move has further exacerbated divisions within the political landscape, with some lawmakers and citizens questioning the implications of allowing an international body to assert jurisdiction over a former head of state.

Senator Imee Marcos, who has often taken a position independent of her brother, has voiced strong reservations about the arrest. Hours after Duterte’s detention, she publicly challenged the decision, referring to the former president as "poor President Duterte" and cautioning that his arrest “can only lead to trouble.”

Her stance has placed her at odds with both her political party and Duterte’s supporters. In response, members of the Duterte family have signaled their intent to withhold political support for her re-election bid, a move that could significantly impact her standing in the upcoming May 12 elections. Polls currently suggest she faces an uphill battle to retain her Senate seat.

As the nation braces for the midterm elections, the political landscape remains highly volatile, with Duterte’s arrest emerging as a defining issue in the deeply polarized political environment.