Senate adopts resolution on ex-president Duterte's house arrest
By Dhel Nazario
At A Glance
- The Senate, voting 15-3-2, adopted a resolution urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest on humanitarian grounds due to his age and health, citing international human rights provisions and ICC rules on interim release.
Voting 15-3-2, the Senate adopted Proposed Senate Resolution No. 144, expressing the sense of the Senate requesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian considerations.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC Photo)
Among those who voted in favor of the resolution are its sponsors Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Alan Cayetano, Robin Padilla, Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Christopher "Bong" Go.
Also voting yes were Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, and Mark Villar.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Senator Raffy Tulfo abstained.
Those who were not present during the nominal voting were Senators Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
The resolution takes into consideration Duterte's old age and deteriorating health, urging the ICC to designate a physician or medical doctor to examine the former president and ascertain that he is fit to withstand regular detention.
It adds that should the medical findings prove that his continued detention will further worsen his medical condition, the ICC is urged to allow the former president to be detained under house arrest.
It also states that such house arrest, or a similar appropriate arrangement, will be subject to conditions restricting liberty to be imposed by the ICC, presenting no risk to the integrity of the ongoing trial.
It also cites Article 10 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides that all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
The resolution also provides that the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the ICC allow persons being tried therein interim release, subject to conditions restricting liberty, including staying at a particular address, not contacting directly or indirectly victims or witnesses, and responding when summoned by an authority or qualified person designated by the ICC.