THE 21st Davao City Council has approved a resolution supporting the appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the immediate release and repatriation of former President Rodrigo Duterte (FPRRD).
Proposed by Second District Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, he emphasized that FPRRD should be released and allowed to return home, considering that he is already 80 years old.
"This resolution would be sent to Attorney Kauffman whom he can use for maybe attachment purposes," he said during his privilege speech during the third regular session on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The resolution states that FPRRD won as mayor of Davao City in the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), and that he should be afforded full respect, protection, and due process of law. Dayanghirang added that the city council is merely appealing for FPRRD’s release due to his old age and significant health challenges, which require immediate and appropriate humanitarian consideration.
On June 12, 2025, FPRRD’s defense team formally appealed to the ICC for interim release to an undisclosed country, citing the willingness of a certain State Party to host him.
Dayanghirang emphasized that Davao City is more than willing to host FPRRD and that, through the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Philippine sovereignty is upheld, affirming that its justice system is functioning and effective, thereby negating the jurisdiction of the ICC over Philippine nationals.
He noted that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has proposed that the Philippine government formally request the ICC to allow Duterte to be held under house arrest, possibly within the Philippine Embassy in The Hague. He said that with these multiple requests, this option would be more beneficial for FPRRD’s welfare.
The 20th City Council passed a similar resolution on March 25, 2025, calling on the Senate to petition and support the release of FPRRD.
To recall, FPRRD was taken to The Hague, Netherlands, on March 12, 2025. He made his first appearance before the ICC on March 14, 2025, via video link and is scheduled to attend the confirmation of charges on September 23, 2025. RGP