Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday, Aug. 2, backed up the decision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“As chief architect of our foreign policy, it is PBBM’s (President Marcos Jr.) prerogative to determine what international organizations our country may join,” Guevarra, the government’s chief lawyer, said.
“I suppose the President’s primary consideration is always in the best interests of our country, with utmost regard for our national sovereignty,” he added.
The Philippines’ membership in the ICC, with 108 member countries, was withdrawn in 2018 by then President Rodrigo Duterte.
Last Monday, August 1, President Marcos Jr. declared: “The Philippines has no intention of rejoining the ICC.”
The President made the statement after having met last July 28 with Guevarra, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, and lawyer Harry Roque to discuss the administration’s move on the ICC’s investigation on the Philippines’ illegal drugs operations.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan last June 24 proposed before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber the resumption of the investigation of alleged crimes committed during the drugs war of former President Duterte.
ICC then issued a request to the Philippine government dated last July 14 to comment on the proposal made by the prosecutor.
Secretary Remulla had assured that the Philippines will submit its comment before the ICC on or before the Sept. 8, 2022 deadline set by the tribunal.
“Compliance is not the term. We will furnish them the available information as a matter of comity,” Remulla said.