Seven Lawmakers File Resolution Urging Philippines to Rejoin the ICC — De Lima Says 'I'm All For It'
While Rodrigo Duterte faces his ICC hearing at The Hague, seven lawmakers back home are pushing the Philippines to rejoin the very court he pulled the country out of. Two separate House resolutions were filed on Monday urging the government to re-accede to the Rome Statute — the treaty that established the International Criminal Court.
House Resolution 809 was filed by the Makabayan bloc — ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co. They argued that the House, as "the duly elected, constitutional voice of the Filipino people, is duty-bound to champion justice, truth, and transparency." A second resolution, HR 811, was filed by Akbayan Reps. Perci Cendaña, Chel Diokno, and Dadah Kiram Ismula along with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
HR 811 stated that "rejoining the ICC will strengthen the country's commitment to international justice, reinforce its democratic institutions, and enhance its standing in the international community." Both resolutions urge President Marcos to initiate the necessary constitutional processes for re-accession, subject to Senate concurrence — which requires a two-thirds vote.
Former senator and current Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima was quick to express her support. "I'm all for it," she said, calling the ICC "the only international mechanism of accountability that can be relied upon if domestic mechanisms fail or if the state refuses, or is unwilling, or is unable to genuinely investigate." De Lima, who was herself imprisoned for years on drug charges widely seen as politically motivated, knows the importance of international accountability firsthand.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte after the court opened an investigation into his drug war. Rejoining would require the President to make the decision and submit it to the Senate for ratification. Given that Marcos Jr. hasn't exactly been eager to cooperate with the ICC — his government initially refused to surrender Duterte — the chances of rejoining anytime soon remain uncertain. Pero at least the conversation is happening.
Source: The Manila Times
