Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile asserted on Tuesday that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal troubles are not tied to Philippine laws and should not be attributed to the government.
Duterte is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was served by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in coordination with local authorities. The charges relate to alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs during his tenure as both Davao City mayor and Philippine president.
“The current legal problem of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte is not caused by Philippine laws. His legal problem arises from laws enforceable by the International Criminal Court (ICC),” Enrile stated in a social media post.
The ICC has been investigating Duterte’s alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during his time in office, drawing sharp criticism from human rights groups and the international community.
Enrile emphasized that the Philippine government should not be held accountable for Duterte’s legal predicament, as the ICC’s investigation and subsequent arrest warrant are independent of domestic laws.
“It is incorrect to blame the Philippine government for the current legal problem of ex-President Duterte,” he said.
He urged Duterte’s legal team to obtain a copy of the ICC’s charges to fully understand the basis of the arrest order.
“His lawyers should work on securing a copy of the ICC charges against him so they can determine the reason behind the arrest order,” Enrile advised, reiterating that “Philippine domestic laws have nothing to do with his current legal issue.”
The Philippine government previously stated that it would not cooperate with the ICC’s investigation, as the country formally withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2018. However, authorities acknowledged that they remain bound by certain obligations under Interpol.