Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed a decision expressing the Senate’s opposition to the resumption of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) investigation into alleged crimes in opposition to humanity dedicated throughout former President Rodrigo Duterte’s warfare on medicine.
In his Senate Resolution No. 492 filed on Monday, Estrada referred to as the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s resolution authorizing the resumption of the probe “disrespectful” because it undermines the Philippines’ judicial system.
Estrada added that on November 10, 2021, the federal government had requested the ICC to defer investigations and proceedings on the Philippine drug warfare.
“The letter of request stated that the Philippine Government has the first responsibility and right to prosecute crimes,” said the senator.
“Further, it stated that the ICC may only exercise jurisdiction where the national legal systems fail to do so which was not the case for the Philippines as domestic institutions are fully functional and more than capable to address the concerns raised in the prosecutor’s notification.”
Members of the House of Representatives, led by former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, had earlier filed a decision defending former President Duterte in opposition to any probe by the ICC.
The ICC approved the reopening of the drug warfare inquiry final January 27. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
