Despite 7 Lawmakers Pushing for It, Malacañang Says Rejoining the ICC Is 'Not on the Table' Right Now
Just hours after seven lawmakers filed resolutions urging the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court, Malacañang shut the door. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed on Tuesday that there are "no discussions" on the country's return to the Rome Statute — the treaty that established the ICC — as of this date.
The Makabayan bloc — Kabataan Rep. Renee Co, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, and Gabriela Rep. Sarah Jane Elago — filed House Resolution 809, arguing that the ICC is a "vital mechanism" for ensuring justice when national systems are unable or unwilling to prosecute grave international crimes. The Akbayan group filed a separate resolution, HR 811, making similar arguments.
The lawmakers pointed to constitutional provisions affirming the state's duty to protect human dignity and Republic Act 9851, which allows Philippine courts to defer to international tribunals for crimes against humanity. They argued that rejoining would "strengthen the country's commitment to international justice and enhance its standing in the international community."
Here's the awkward part: back in 2024, President Marcos himself said the Philippines was "studying" whether it could rejoin the ICC. Two years later, the study apparently hasn't yielded any results — or the political calculus has shifted. With Duterte's hearing ongoing and the Marcos-Duterte feud intensifying, rejoining the court that's trying his predecessor's case would be a politically explosive move.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte after the court opened an investigation into his drug war. Rejoining would require presidential initiative plus a two-thirds Senate vote — a high bar in the current political landscape. For now, the Palace's message is clear: we cooperated with the ICC enough to hand over Duterte, but we're not ready to come back as members. Hindi pa panahon, it seems.
Source: The Manila Times
