The Philippine Senate has announced its intention to investigate the detention and extradition of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, declared an “urgent inquiry” on Monday. The arrest and transfer of Duterte last week has caused turmoil in the country’s political landscape ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in May.
Senator Marcos, who leads the Senate’s foreign relations committee, stated, “It is crucial to ascertain whether due process was followed and to ensure that his legal rights were not only respected but also safeguarded.”
She added, “Our sovereignty and legal processes must take precedence,” acknowledging that the arrest “has deeply divided the nation.”
A public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday in the Senate, where police and other government officials have been invited to provide testimony.
Duterte is the first former Asian head of state to be charged by the ICC. He is accused of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, in relation to his controversial “war on drugs” during his term from 2016 to 2022.
The Marcos and Duterte families formed a political alliance in 2022 that led to Marcos Jr’s presidency and Duterte’s daughter Sara becoming vice president. However, their relationship has since soured.
The Duterte family has called for the removal of the president, with Sara Duterte facing impeachment charges including alleged corruption and involvement in a plot to assassinate Marcos Jr.
In a recent political attack before the midterm elections, former President Duterte hinted at the possibility of senators being killed in a bomb blast.
Duterte was detained on March 11 at Manila airport under the orders of Marcos Jr and handed over to the ICC. Although the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019, the government stated that the arrest was in compliance with a request from Interpol.
Supporters of Duterte have organized demonstrations across the country demanding his release and return.
Senator Imee Marcos has largely maintained her independence from her brother amid the political strife, despite running for re-election under the administration’s banner for the upcoming midterm elections.
Shortly after Duterte’s arrest, she questioned the wisdom of detaining the “humble President Duterte,” cautioning that it could lead to further trouble.
The Duterte family had previously threatened to withdraw their support for her re-election, and current polls suggest that she may lose her Senate seat in the May 12 elections.
