THE camp of former President Rodrigo Duterte filed on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the latter.
Lawyer Israelito Torreon, who also serves as the lawyer of embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the SC requesting for the issuance of a TRO and writ of preliminary prohibition and mandatory injunction in relation to Duterte’s arrest.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Nicolas Torre, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner were named as respondents.
The petitioners urged the SC to issue a decision declaring and affirming the unconstitutionality of the Philippine government’s cooperation with the ICC, noting the withdrawal of the latter from the Rome Statute, which establishes the ICC, in March 2019.
Duterte was arrested upon his arrival in the country on Tuesday morning, March 11, from Hong Kong on the orders of the ICC amid its investigation on the alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines during the implementation of his drug war.
In a statement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile, said Duterte’s ongoing legal battle is not caused by Philippine laws.
“His legal problem is caused by laws enforceable by the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is not correct to blame the Philippine government for the current legal problem of ex-PRRD,” said Enrile.
“His lawyers should endeavor to secure a copy of the ICC charges against him so that they will know why he was ordered to be arrested by the ICC. Philippine domestic laws have nothing to do with his current legal problem,” he added.
In an interview with reporters, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos expressed dismay over Duterte’s arrest.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala. Medyo nayanig ako masyado, kawawa naman si [dating] presidente Duterte,” she said.
(I can't believe it. I'm quite shaken; I feel sorry for [former] President Duterte.)
“Ang akin kasi hindi na tayo natututo. Gulo lang ang dulot nito, hindi na tayo natuto, itong paulit-ulit ay walang pakinabang sa mga naghihirap sa bayan, ang bangayan ng pulitika. Parang naging cycle na tayo pag ganito. Gumanda ba ang buhay natin dahil sa pamumulitika? Umasenso ba ang ating bansa? Hindi na tayo natuto,” she added.
(For me, it seems like we never learn. This only brings chaos -- we keep repeating the same things, and it doesn’t benefit those who are struggling in our country. Political infighting has become a cycle. Has our lives improved because of politics? Has our country progressed? We never learn.) (TPM/SunStar Philippines)