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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Pacquiao to allow ICC probe on Duterte's drug war if elected president

Pacquiao to allow ICC probe on Duterte's drug war if elected president

Published Oct 15, 2021 03:50 pm

Should he win as the Philippines' next president next year, Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao said Friday, October 15, that he will not block the International Criminal Court (ICC) from investigating President Duterte's infamous war on drugs.

Boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquaio shows his certificate of candidacy for president on October 1, 2021. (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

"Ni-rerespeto natin 'yong investigation ng ICC dahil miyembro tayo diyan. Unang-una, hindi tayo tututol diyan dahil karapatan nila bilang miyembro tayo ng international community, dapat din natin igalang ang kanilang mga proseso (We respect the investigation of the ICC because we were once a member of the body. First of all, we will not oppose that because they have the right to do so, and as part of the international community, we should respect their processes)" Pacquiao said when asked on ABS-CBN News Channel if he will allow the investigation if he wins the 2022 presidential race.

Asked to clarify if he also meant to possibly sending Duterte to jail, Pacquiao said he would also respect the ICC's rulings.

"Pagdating sa mga ganyan, dahil nirerespeto natin 'yong imbestigasyon ng ICC, rerespetuhin din natin 'yan (When it comes to that, since we respect the investigation of the ICC, we will also respect such decisions)," he said.

The ICC's pre-trial chamber in September gave its go-signal for the full investigation of the alleged crimes against humanity committed under Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs.

Malacañang, however, maintained that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippine government since the country already withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019.

Duterte would have to die first before he faces international court, his spokesman said.

Pacquiao and Duterte were party mates in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

The senator used to defend the Chief Executive in various issues, including the drug war, until he commented against the latter's policies this year.

The administration party was then divided into two factions.

Pacquiao's rivals in the PDP-Laban, on the other hand, dismissed the boxer-turned-politician's statements, saying he should first win the 2022 elections before giving his view on the ICC probe.

But the Pacquiao's ally in the party, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, said presidential candidates should be speaking about issues in the country.

"Of course the positions of presidential candidates on various issues are being and should be discussed now. No need to wait to win before discussing 'campaign issues'," Pimentel said on Twitter.

Related Tags

President Duterte ICC withdrawal ICC 2022 polls 2022 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS Manny Pacquiao War on drugs
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