FORMER senator and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Gringo Honasan met with Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, to convey his concerns regarding the potential trial of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The former senator expressed his gratitude to the Duterte family for their long-standing support. However, he emphasized that his visit was not politically motivated but a commitment to upholding national sovereignty and the integrity of the Philippine justice system.
“I am here not out of politics but as a Filipino who loves our country and believes in recognizing the sovereignty of our Republic and protecting every Filipino from the interference of foreigners,” Honasan stated.
Honasan voiced strong opposition to FPRRD’s arrest, saying the action of the ICC undermines the Philippines’ legal institutions.
“The arrest of President Duterte to be taken to another country and tried under foreign laws is a slap in the face and a betrayal of our nation's courts and laws,” Honasan added.
He also stated that allowing the trial in the international court implied that the Philippines was a “failed state.” He argued that the way our country defended Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) facing legal challenges abroad should be applied to the case of the former president.
Honasan announced the launch of a petition urging the ICC to return former President Duterte to the Philippines. He encouraged public participation in the signature campaign and invited organizations to support the initiative in defense of national sovereignty.
“We aim to gather as many signatures as possible and extend invitations to other organizations to join us in our efforts to bring back Former President Rodrigo Duterte and uphold the sovereignty of our laws, courts, and the dignity of the Filipino nation,” Honasan said.
Currently, there is already an online petition that has been gaining support from Duterte’s political allies and supporters, with over a hundred thousand petitioners. Both local and international communities also organized peace rallies and gatherings to support his immediate release from the European court. Some content creators and vloggers also show support by calling for his return to the country. Cine Grace Languay, DorSU Intern