Here’s a bombshell: despite the ongoing legal battles, there’s nothing in Philippine law that explicitly stops the government from working with the International Criminal Court (ICC). But here’s where it gets controversial—while the Supreme Court (SC) is still reviewing petitions challenging the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC, a Justice official has confirmed that coordination with the tribunal isn’t legally off-limits. This revelation raises eyebrows, especially as Duterte’s family and allies fight to block any cooperation.
In a recent interview, DOJ spokesperson Adrian Martinez laid it out plainly: ‘If we were to coordinate with the ICC now, there’s no legal barrier. At least from a legal standpoint, that’s crystal clear.’ He explained that the petitions filed with the SC are essentially questioning the legality of Duterte’s arrest, which is why the DOJ is playing it safe and waiting for the court’s decision. And this is the part most people miss—while the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, there’s no law declaring coordination with international tribunals unconstitutional. So, technically, the door remains open.
The drama doesn’t end there. After Duterte’s arrest in March 2025, he and Senator Ronald Dela Rosa urged the SC to block the government from cooperating with the ICC and Interpol. Meanwhile, petitions from Duterte’s children—Veronica ‘Kitty’ Duterte, Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte, and Davao City Representative Paolo ‘Pulong’ Duterte—are still pending. They’ve argued that their case isn’t moot, keeping the legal tug-of-war alive. Martinez reiterated, ‘Under current laws, there’s no clear ban on coordinating with the ICC or Interpol.’
The plot thickened when it was revealed that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla met with ICC investigators in 2025 while serving as Secretary of Justice. However, Martinez was quick to clarify that no such coordination is happening now between the DOJ and the ICC. ‘There have been no meetings between Secretary Vida, any DOJ officials, and the ICC,’ he stated firmly, adding that they’re waiting for the SC’s resolution before making any moves.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for alleged killings during his tenure as mayor and president. These charges were formally read during a four-day hearing in February 2025. Here’s the million-dollar question: Should the Philippine government cooperate with the ICC, even if it means going against the wishes of a former president and his allies? Let’s hear your thoughts—do you think coordination is necessary for justice, or is it a breach of sovereignty? The debate is wide open, and your opinion matters.
