By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio has urged members of the House of Representatives to respect President Ferdinand Marcos “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the war on drugs.
The War on Drugs was a program initiated by VP Sara Duterte’s father former President Rodrigo Duterte to combat the drug menace in the country when he assumed power back in 2016.
“In light of this unequivocal stance, we appeal to the House to honor the President’s position as the chief architect of our foreign policy,” Duterte-Carpio stated.
“The President has also affirmed that his standpoint is grounded in the fact that the ICC lost jurisdiction over the Philippines upon our withdrawal from the Rome Statute on March 17, 2019,” added the Vice President.
Duterte-Carpio, who also serves as Education Secretary, emphasized that Philippine courts should not be demeaned by allowing an international court to investigate the matter.
“Let us not insult and bring shame to our courts by projecting to the world that we believe only foreigners have the ability to dispense justice and uphold righteousness in our own nation,” she remarked.
A resolution filed on Tuesday by Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. urges the Marcos government to cooperate with the ICC investigation.
In October, legislators from the Makabayan bloc, namely France Castro of the ACT Teachers party-list, Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela party-list, and Raoul Manuel of the Kabataan party-list, filed a similar resolution.
(ai/mnm)
