Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday, July 15 criticized Malacañang for distancing itself from the United States’ plan to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This, after the Philippine government said it will not intervene in the US’ sweeping campaign to isolate the Hague-based institution and starve it of political and deprive it of financial support.

Sen. Marcos said it is “alarming how the administration completely misses the point on the US policy against the ICC.”

"The issue is not whether the Philippines can control US policy, but whether the government understands that its continuing cooperation with the ICC may expose the country to heightened scrutiny and possible diplomatic, visa or economic consequences,” the senator said.

She said that by continuing to assist a court that the US now seeks to isolate, the Marcos administration "may be putting Philippine interests and our strategic relationship with our principal treaty ally at unnecessary risk.”

“The Palace should disclose the extent of its continuing cooperation with the ICC and explain what measures it is taking to protect the country from the consequences of that policy.” she said. 

Earlier, Palace press officer Claire Castro said that the government refuses to intervene with the US’ plan stating that the “policies of the US are not within the Philippine government’s control.”

Washington remains one of the country’s biggest treaty ally and one of the biggest sources of development assistance.

In 2019, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute that created the ICC during the term of then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

Back then, the Duterte administration attempted to stop ICC prosecutors from investigating its so-called “war on drugs” campaign where thousands of alleged drug suspects were killed.

The withdrawal took effect a year later, but the succeeding Marcos administration believes that the Philippines still has residual obligations with the ICC. 

Though President Marcos has repeatedly ruled out rejoining the ICC, he said cooperation with the tribunal remains relevant.

President Marcos’ stand eventually paved the way for Duterte to be arrested in March 2025 by Philippine authorities who were following an order from the ICC.

Former president Duterte is now facing crimes against humanity charges for being an indirect co-perpetrator in the extrajudicial killings during his term as President and when he served as Davao City mayor.

Duterte remains detained at The Hague and is set to face trial in November 2026. 

The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, for being a co-perpetrator in the case.

Dela Rosa was the national police chief during Duterte’s term and was the chief implementer of the "war on drugs” campaign.