LAWMAKERS dismissed concerns that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) would lead to political instability, asserting that the country remains on solid footing under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union brushed off attempts by Duterte’s allies to stir unrest, particularly former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, saying they have long sought to undermine the administration.
“He’d been trying to do this to the Marcos administration, sa government for almost two years na, ‘di ba. Naalala natin ‘yung press ah ‘yung video na ito ang kasamaan laban sa kadiliman. Pero from the last few weeks nakita po natin na gumaganda po ‘yung ekonomiya natin,” Ortega said.
He noted that Duterte’s camp will try to make noise through protests, but this will not translate into real instability.
“So, for me, tingin ko they will try to make noise, they will try to have their rallies, pero tingin ko hindi naman siya mag-cause ng direct na instability,” Ortega added.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre agreed, saying those who are making the most noise now are the same ones who have always been vocal, but that does not mean they have broad public support.
“The noisy one will always be noisy eh. That’s one thing for sure. Pero kung kakagatin ng tao, ako alam mo, I doubt,” Acidre said.
He pointed to the Marcos administration’s strong economic policies, law enforcement professionalism and commitment to justice as key stabilizing factors.
“We’ve seen kung paano ang ekonomiya natin. Katulad ng sinabi ni Cong. Paolo, maganda ang fundamentals natin. Pangalawa, naipakita natin hindi lang sa ating bansa, kung hindi sa buong mundo na the rule of law is applied equally to everyone in this country,” he said.
Acidre added that Duterte’s arrest was not an indictment of the country’s entire justice system but rather proof that international mechanisms can work when local ones fail.
“Obviously during the time that it was happening and during the time that the cases were filed pwede nating masabi na ganun nga. Kasi before naman ‘yan umabot sa ICC, nag-file din ‘yan sa piskalya, nag-file sa prosecutors, nagreklamo sa police. At wala naman tayong nakitang intentful attempt to prosecute or investigate. Kaya siguro umabot na sila sa The Hague,” Acidre said.
He, however, pushed back against claims that Duterte’s ICC arrest was a sign of the country surrendering its sovereignty.
“The fact that we are part and we are able to join an international proceeding such as the ICC is already an act of sovereignty. Di naman siguro tayo i-entertain dun if it’s not for our sovereignty,” he said.
Acidre emphasized that the Philippine government’s cooperation in turning over Duterte to the ICC aligns with local and international laws.
“Our ability to implement the jurisprudence in Pangilinan vs Cayetano is an act of sovereignty. The fact that we were able to turn over to the Interpol the former president is an act of sovereignty,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re surrendering anything. We are reinforcing our ability to carry out our sovereignty,” Acidre added.