No need for PBBM to monitor ICC proceedings vs. FPRRD

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency

There is no need for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to monitor the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) pretrial hearing on the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with his deadly drug war, Malacañang said Friday.

“Hindi po kailangang mag-monitor ng Pangulo. Ang sabi nga natin, ang minomonitor po ng Pangulo ay ‘yung interes po ng ating bansa,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

She stressed that whatever happens at the ICC’s confirmation hearing next week, it would be “personal” to Duterte.

Usec. Castro, nevertheless, said Marcos Jr. will be updated, since fellow Filipinos are involved in the case.

“Tatandaan po natin na ang mga nagsampa po ng kasong ito ay kapwa nating Pilipino. Pilipino ang nagsampa ng kaso, inirereklamo ay kapwa nating Pilipino,” the Palace official said.

“Hindi po imomonitor, pero siyempre kailangan pong maging updated ang Pangulo sa lahat ng nangyayari, dahil mga kapwa Filipino natin ang nasasangkot dito,” she added.

The ICC Prosecutor has asked the Pre-Trial Chamber I to reject Duterte’s request to waive his right to appear in his confirmation hearing on Feb. 23.

In a court document dated Feb. 19, the prosecution argued that the former chief executive is fit, available, and has “no reasonable cause” to skip the hearing in person.

Duterte is facing charges before the ICC in connection with his war on illegal drugs, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of suspects during police operations.

He has been in the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands, since his arrest in March 2025.