THE 8th Digos City Council has filed a resolution expressing full support to former President Rodrigo Duterte amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation.
The legislative body passed the resolution on March 17, 2025, during their 123rd regular session, expressing its full support to Duterte amid the ICC probe and stands in defense of the Philippine sovereignty and the integrity of its judicial institutions.
The resolution stipulated that Duterte, during his time as president, has led a strong campaign against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption for the pursuit of peace, order, and the development of the Philippines.
Duterte was taken to the Hague in the Netherlands, due to the alleged crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11, 2025. Duterte then had a pre-trial wherein he attended virtually on March 14.
The resolution further said that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is continuing its investigation into Duterte’s previous anti-drug campaign even with the withdrawal of the country from the Rome Statute in 2019. The council said that this raises concerns over the overreach of judiciary and the disregard of the sovereignty of the Philippines.
“The Philippine government has consistently maintained that the country’s judicial system is fully capable of addressing any allegations related to the anti-drug campaign, making ICC intervention unnecessary and unwarranted,” the resolution said.
The council stressed that the supporters of Duterte believe that the actions taken during his presidential stint were done “in the best interest of the Filipino people” prioritizing public safety, rule of law, and national security.
The council also said that they will firmly uphold the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines and recognize its right to duly elected leaders to govern without any external interference.
To recall, Davao del Sur Representative John Cagas was the only lawmaker in the 11 congressmans in the Davao Region who signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president.
Residents of Digos, upon knowing that their congressman signed the petition, cut out the pictures of the politician. Cagas also received intense criticism after signing the petition to impeach the vice president on February 5, 2025.
Meanwhile, Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, chairperson of the committee on tourism and beautification, said during the Aprubado sa Konseho, on Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025, that the 20th City Council no longer needs to pass a resolution expressing its support to the former president.
Alejandre said that they would automatically support Duterte and that it is their obligation to support him. He said the resolution is just an administerial thus the city does not need to pass one.
“Makita naman nimo last Tuesday ang city council ang nahimo starter. Like we do the candle lighting, niadto ta didtoa right after an hour nidagsa ang tao (It can be seen last Tuesday that the city council ignited the movement. Like we do the candle lighting and after an hour people flocked to the area),” he said.
Similarly, Councilor Lorenzo Villafuerte, chairperson of the committee on civil, political, and human rights, said that Dabawenyos were already showing their support to Duterte even during the time he was arrested. RGP