Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla on Monday, February 20, defended former President Duterte from investigation or prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Through Senate Resolution 488, Padilla sought "to declare unequivocal defense of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, in any investigation or prosecution by the ICC.”
He stressed the Philippines has a "functioning and independent" judicial system.
Padilla also noted that after a panel of judges at the ICC in The Hague authorized the Office of the Prosecutor to resume its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla declared: "They are insulting us.’’
Remulla also described the case as "totally unacceptable.”
Padilla's resolution likewise pointed out that former President Duterte believed the widespread serious and rampant illegal drug problem "is an existential threat to the country's social fabric," and that he was convinced fighting illegal drugs, along with corruption and other crimes, "is a prerequisite for achieving genuine growth and prosperity."
The Duterte presidency ushered "remarkable accomplishments" brought about by relentless campaign vs illegal drugs, insurgency, separatism and terrorism, corruption and criminality; while the peace and order situation considerably improved, the resolution added.