By Ismael Amigo, Sr.

Para tayong nag-dilang anghel.

A few days after this corner discussed (on Saturday, 18 Nov 2023) that the next big “Feature Presentation” after Leila De Lima’s blockbuster release would be no other than the country’s reconnection with the International Criminal Court.

That’s already happening. In fact, it’s boiling up.

Kumbaga sa takure na pakuluan ng tubig na pangkape, nalalapit nang sumipol ito bilang hudyat ng pagkulo.

And mind you, on Friday (24 Nov 2023) VP Sara let out a press lease urging the gentle giants at the House of Representatives to follow, and respect the stand of the Marcos administration on the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue!

Why would VP Sara do that/this?

Could it be that the Davao camp already senses the pot (takure) is nearing the boiling point?

Why would Sen. Bato dela Rosa also issue a statement saying he should already be on guard, prepared for whatever the ICC might ask him to answer?

Granite-like as he is in his decisions, the former chief PNP of the “kill you” FPRRD regime went on to declare that he is actually “avoiding visiting any country” that is ICC-accredited.

We heard that Sen. Christopher BG is also included in the ICC list as one among several respondents of its “crimes against humanity” case directed at the previous regime of FPRRD.

But consistent as he is in the Top 10 senatorial/releectionists in the 2025 mid-term elections, BG prefers to play it cool, silent. Less talk, fewer mistakes.

But no matter what, the ICC thing is the next big THING to happen here!

As we said before, that D5 blockbuster “movie” was simply a prelude, a precursor of the things to come.

If we are not mistaken, Cong Benny Abante of Manila was the one who recently filed a petition at the House to review the possibility of PH reconnecting with the ICC.

The Marcos admin also said “pag-aaralan.”

Why is it important?

It’s because at least 123 countries are states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Out of them, 33 are from African States, 19 are from Asia-Pacific States, 18 are from Eastern Europe, 28 are from Latin American and Caribbean States, and 25 are from Western European and other States.

Even Cambodia is a party to that although Southeast Asia is a particularly underrepresented sub-region, with Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam yet to connect with the Rome Statute of the ICC.

On 17 July 1998, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted by a vote of 120 to seven, with 21 countries abstaining.

The seven countries that voted against the treaty were China, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Qatar, the U.S., and Yemen.

Nevertheless, why would VP Sara bother herself as to urge the gentle giants of Congress to toe the line regarding PBBM’s stand on the ICC?

The simple answer is that it will besmirch FPRRD’s political reputation and its ripples will also slowly ruin her own gambit in 2028.

I don’t know much about the intricacies of a Queen’s Gambit Declined opening in chess, but there is some parallelism into this as far as VPSD’s  2028 ambition is concerned.

But one thing is sure: as early as now, many are declining this kind of opening.

Maybe, the people want somebody else, somebody gentle but firm far from the “kill you” regime.

Abangan natin mga tao!