The interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippines seems unlikely as the government maintains that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the country.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after an ICC spokesperson said the court would grant Duterte's interim release if the Philippines agreed to it and to certain guidelines and conditions the court sets.

In a press briefing on Thursday, March 27, the Palace Press Officer said doing so would mean the Philippines accepts that the ICC has jurisdiction over the country.

"Does it mean that we have to recognize that ICC has jurisdiction over the Philippines? I believe the family of former President Duterte is asking and praying for the Supreme Court that the government should not cooperate with the ICC," she said.

"So, it means that if we will not cooperate with the ICC, even that prayer or even that manifestation of the ICC, we will not recognize as of that," he added.

According to Castro, accepting Duterte's interim release might, hypothetically, open a can of worms.

"Lahat po ng isyu diyan ay mabubuksan. Mabubuksan din po kung magkakaroon ng freeze order sa kaniyang mga assets (All issues there will be opened up. It will also be revealed whether there will be a freeze order on his assets)," she said.

"Gugustuhin po ba din ng Pamilya Duterte na makipag-cooperate tayo sa ICC para lahat ng kanilang assets, nakatago man o hindi nakatago, ...para mahagilap lahat ng kanilang assets (Would the Duterte family also want us to cooperate with the ICC so that all their assets, whether hidden or not, ...to uncover all of their assets)?," she added.

Castro said accepting the ICC's conditions would also contradict the stand of Duterte's camp that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

Duterte was arrested and surrendered to the ICC on March 11 for alleged crimes against humanity committed during his drug war.