The Supreme Court has junked the petition questioning the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In the deliberation of the Supreme Court En Banc Tuesday, the votes of the magistrates were unanimous.
According to the SC, the case was “moot and academic” since the withdrawal of the Philippines took effect on March 2019, a year after the country sent a notice of withdrawal.
The petitioners insisted that the Rome Statute that established the ICC is a treaty that underwent ratification in Congress. Therefore, it is considered as a law passed by the legislative branch wherein the participation of Congress is needed for the withdrawal.
The High Court in its decision recognizes the President of the Philippines as the Primary Architect of foreign policy. However, the said power can be limited by the concurrence of the senate if needed, and by a law that needs negotiation for an international agreement or in implementing an existing treaty.
The SC magistrates also stated that the power of the judiciary is enough to protect human rights contradicting the speculations of the petitioners. —Report from Kenneth Paciente
