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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ICC has no jurisdiction over ex-President Duterte's case — VP Sara

ICC has no jurisdiction over ex-President Duterte's case — VP Sara

Vice President questions ICC's authority after Philippines' withdrawal from Rome Statute

Published Jul 30, 2026 10:31 am
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Vice President Sara Duterte, who argued that the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute ended the tribunal's authority and that the country's judicial system remains fully functional. (MB Visual Content Group)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Vice President Sara Duterte, who argued that the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute ended the tribunal's authority and that the country's judicial system remains fully functional. (MB Visual Content Group)
Vice President Sara Duterte reiterated her position that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the tribunal has no legal basis to continue pursuing the case after the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute.
Addressing Filipino supporters in The Hague on Wednesday, July 29, Duterte questioned the ICC's interpretation that it could proceed with the case because it had already taken the complaint under consideration before the Philippines formally withdrew from the international tribunal.
Questions ICC's legal basis
"ICC said we have jurisdiction because we took the complaint under consideration before the Philippines withdrew as a member of the International Criminal Court," Duterte said.
She argued that such an interpretation would effectively allow the ICC to keep complaints open indefinitely, regardless of a country's withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
"It means that if you take it under consideration before the withdrawal of a country, there will always be an open complaint, open under consideration," she said.
"Open investigation through the years, even if the ICC will not act on it. And is that justified? Of course not, because it will be a perpetual investigation," she added.
According to the Vice President, allowing investigations to remain pending without a definite end would create a precedent that could affect other countries that decide to withdraw from the ICC.
"That is what the countries who are withdrawing now from the ICC should watch out for. Because if there is something under consideration there, even if they withdraw, 50 years from now, kung buhay pa 'yang (if it is still active) ICC, they can file a case," she said.
Duterte further asserted that more than two years had passed after the Philippines' withdrawal before any formal inquiry was undertaken, which, she said, weakened the ICC's claim of jurisdiction.
"That is why we have been saying you have no jurisdiction. Two years have passed since the withdrawal of the Philippines from the ICC before any formal inquiry was done," she said.
"If that is allowed, then there will be no end to the ICC going after sovereign nations," she added.
Philippine courts remain functional
The Vice President also maintained that the Philippines has a functioning judicial system capable of investigating and prosecuting crimes, arguing that ICC intervention infringes on the country's sovereignty.
"Our judicial courts are functioning. We can go to court, file a complaint, the judge can hear it, the judge can decide, the judge can put you to jail easily," she said.
"There is no breakdown of the judicial system in the Philippines. And so any interference by the ICC is an affront to our sovereignty," Duterte added.
Duterte made the remarks as she continued to defend her father's case before supporters gathered in The Hague, where she raised legal and procedural objections to the ICC proceedings against the former president.
The Rome Statute is the international treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Philippines deposited its notice of withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2018, and the withdrawal officially took effect on March 17, 2019. 
RELATED STORY: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/30/vp-sara-calls-for-immediate-release-of-ex-president-rodrigo-duterte-says-icc-detention-is-unjust

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Rodrigo Duterte International Criminal Court ICC jurisdiction Rome Statute Philippines
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