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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC grants OSG's reentry as gov't counsel in petition vs arrest, turnover to ICC of ex-Pres Duterte

SC grants OSG's reentry as gov't counsel in petition vs arrest, turnover to ICC of ex-Pres Duterte

Published Dec 4, 2025 11:44 am
The Supreme Court (SC) allowed the reentry of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) as counsel of government officials who were named respondents in the petition that challenged the arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) of then president Rodrigo Duterte last March 11.
Granted was the plea last Dec. 1 by Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe in her manifestation with entry of appearance.
In a press briefer, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said: “The SC granted the Manifestation with Entry of Appearance filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), allowing the OSG to resume its role as counsel for the respondents in the case.”
However, during its full court session on Wednesday, Dec. 3, there was no report if the SC tackled the plea of Berberabe to deny Duterte’ reiterative plea for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against his arrest.
It was not known immediately when the OSG’s comment on the reiterative plea will be taken up by the SC as a full court.
The petition was filed by Duterte, himself, and Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa and docketed as GR No. 278747.
Named respondents in the petitions were then executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, then justice secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Local Government Secretary Juan Victor Remulla, then Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbin, then PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CID) Director Gen. Nicolas Torre III, then solicitor general Guevarra, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr.
Last March 12, the SC denied the plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by Duterte and Dela Rosa. It directed the respondents in the petition to file their comment.
However, last March 24, then solicitor general Menardo I. Guevarra recused or inhibited the OSG from participating in the petition.
Guevarra told the SC that the Philippines has no legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC nor recognize any process emanating from the ICC following the effectivity of the country's withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
On March 28, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its comment as required by the SC.
Later last April 2, the SC granted the motion of the OSG to inhibit from the case.
On Nov. 20, 2025, the DOJ received a copy of the SC’s resolution requiring the respondents to comment on petitioners’ urgent motion for the issuance of a TRO.
Thus, last Nov. 25, the DOJ referred the petitioners’ urgent motion to the OSG for appropriate action.
The petition – together with those filed by Duterte’s children --remained pending at the SC until the High Court directed all the parties to the cases – petitioners and respondents – to file their memorandum and to inform the court of the development in the ICC.
Then came the manifestation with reentry of appearance filed by Solicitor General Berberabe.
Earlier, the Office of the President said that the reentry of the OSG in the Duterte petition was “proper lawful, and mandated” as it stressed that the agency is merely performing its statutory duty.
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