Senator Imee Marcos has strongly criticized the administration of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., for its decision to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a fiery statement, Marcos called the move a “betrayal” and accused the government of “giving up” Duterte to foreign authorities. She emphasized that the former president should face justice within the Philippine legal system rather than being subjected to an international tribunal.
“This is about national sovereignty. We should not allow foreigners to dictate how we handle our own affairs,” Marcos stated, reinforcing her position that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the country.
The senator’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over the Philippine government’s stance on the ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s controversial war on drugs. While some officials argue that cooperating with the tribunal is necessary to uphold justice, Marcos and other Duterte allies believe it undermines the country’s independence.
The administration has yet to officially respond to Marcos’ criticism. However, the decision to engage with the ICC marks a significant policy shift from Duterte’s presidency, which saw the Philippines withdraw from the international body in 2019.
As the issue continues to unfold, it is expected to spark further political discourse and legal challenges regarding the country’s accountability mechanisms and its relationship with international institutions.
