MANILA – The Supreme Court has instructed several current and former government officials to respond to a petition seeking the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte from detention under the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a notice released publicly, the Court’s en banc directed the respondents to submit a memorandum within 30 days addressing key issues raised in the petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
The memorandum, the Court said, must discuss “if the present controversy is already moot; if the SC must exercise restraint in view of the ongoing proceedings before the ICC; and whether a writ of habeas corpus must be issued.”
The order also stated: “The parties are also directed to inform the Court of any developments that may be relevant to the instant case.”
Among those required to comment are former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Ombudsman Samuel Martires, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, former PNP chief Francisco Marbil, former CIDG Director Nicolas Torre III, former Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, former Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine Center on Transnational Crime Executive Director Lt. Gen. Antonio Alcantara, and Captains Johnny Gulla and Elmo Segovia.
The petition was filed in March by Duterte’s children — Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, Davao City mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and Davao City’s Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte — who sought judicial intervention to secure the former president’s release from ICC custody.
Duterte has been held in The Hague, Netherlands, following ICC proceedings related to alleged crimes against humanity.
The Department of Justice previously urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions filed by the Duterte siblings./PN
