Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), has urged the Philippine government to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement released on Wednesday, Nov. 29, Caritas Philippines said that rejoining the ICC is “essential to promoting transparency, fairness, and trust in public institutions.”
“The Philippine government has a responsibility to its citizens to uphold the rule of law and protect human rights,” Caritas Philippines Executive Director Fr. Antonio Labiao Jr. said.
“Rejoining the ICC would send a strong message that the government is serious about accountability and justice for all,” he added.
Caritas also called on Congress and the Supreme Court to exercise their check and balance powers to support the Philippines' rejoining of the ICC, as the group believes that the legislative and judicial branches of government have a “crucial role to play in ensuring that the Philippines upholds its international obligations and protects the rights of its citizens.”
They also called on the government to adhere to the recommendations of the ICC.
These include conducting thorough and impartial investigations into all allegations of human rights abuses, prosecuting those responsible, and providing reparations to victims.
“The ICC’s recommendations are a roadmap for the Philippines to address its human rights problems and build a more just and equitable society,” Labiao said.
“We urge the government to take these recommendations seriously and act upon them,” he added.
Furthermore, they called on the government to listen to the voices of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, as these organizations "play a vital role in advocating for human rights and promoting accountability."