MANILA — The Senate has formally asserted that Filipinos facing international charges must first be given the chance to seek justice in Philippine courts before any surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC), adopting a resolution that underscores the primacy of domestic legal remedies amid intensifying debate over accountability in the country’s anti-drug campaign.
Senate Resolution No. 307, approved on the plenary floor, calls for safeguarding due process by ensuring that individuals can challenge or address cases within the Philippine judicial system prior to any extradition or turnover to international tribunals.
Lawmakers introduced key amendments before final approval, including revising the measure’s terminology from “extraordinary rendition” to “extrajudicial rendition,” emphasizing the intent to protect citizens’ rights while preserving access to legal recourse.
The resolution, however, exposed deep divisions within the chamber, with several senators opposing the measure on grounds that international mechanisms like the ICC are themselves avenues for justice.
“Due process is not confined to a Philippine courtroom. Surrender to the ICC is not a deprivation of due process; it is the means by which due process is realized. The ICC provides for principles which ensure fair proceedings and ample opportunity to be heard,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, anchored his opposition on the need to secure accountability for alleged abuses linked to the government’s anti-drug operations.
“Habang dinedebate sa resolusyon na ito tungkol sa due process at kapangyarihan ng ating mga lokal na korte na magpasya tungkol sa mga maaaring maaresto sa bisa ng mga warrant ng ICC, ‘yung libo-libong pinatay sa ngalan ng Oplan Double Barrel na ‘yan ang paratang sa ICC case ngayon. ‘Yung libo-libo na ‘yun ay hindi nabigyan ng due process. Hindi na sila pinaabot sa korte, kundi derecho sila morge,” Pangilinan said.
The resolution was filed amid developments at the ICC, where the Office of the Prosecutor has named senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa among those allegedly linked to crimes against humanity tied to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Both senators, along with members of the minority bloc, were among the original signatories of the resolution, which seeks to reinforce the role of Philippine courts in determining legal accountability before any international intervention is pursued./PN
