By Len Transporte
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday said she is uncertain whether US President Donald Trump’s campaign against the International Criminal Court (ICC) would eventually lead to the release of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, but maintained that his case underscores what she described as the tribunal’s political bias.
Speaking to reporters, Duterte was asked whether Washington’s opposition to the Hague-based court could have implications for the former president, who is facing proceedings before the ICC.
“Hindi ko lang alam kung it will come to a release. Okay, bigyan ko muna ng context. Yung kampanya ng Estados Unidos against the International Criminal Court, di ko lang alam kung aabot siya sa pagpapalaya kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” she said.
While she stopped short of predicting that US pressure would secure her father’s freedom, Duterte argued that the former president’s case could serve as evidence for Washington’s criticism of the tribunal.
She claimed the ICC has acted as a political institution rather than an independent court dispensing impartial justice.
“Pero definitely pwedeng gamitin ng Estados Unidos na example yung kaso ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagiging isang biased political organization ng ICC at not really a court of justice,” Duterte said.
Former President Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges before the ICC over his administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, a case that his family and supporters have repeatedly denounced as politically motivated.
The United States, while not a party to the Rome Statute that created the ICC, has stepped up its criticism of the tribunal under the Trump administration, accusing it of overstepping its mandate and targeting sovereign states.—Politiko.com.ph
