Malacañang on Wednesday reminded the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to act strictly in accordance with the law and its mandate, saying it should not defend the personal interests of a few individuals.
The statement came after the OSG filed a manifestation seeking to resume its participation in the petition for certiorari filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa questioning Duterte’s arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Palace press officer Claire Castro, speaking in Filipino, said the OSG “should act in accordance with the law and its mandate, without protecting the interests of a select few.”
Castro also addressed former solicitor general Menardo Guevarra’s decision to recuse himself from representing officials who carried out Duterte’s arrest, stressing that the Palace had no role in his move.
“The Palace is not responsible for the actions and personal views of former solicitor general Meynard Guevarra. At present, the OSG is simply performing its duties and correcting what needs to be corrected in accordance with the law,” she said.
Current Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe earlier said the OSG’s return to the case was based on its assessment of developments since March 2025, when it first inhibited, and its understanding of how the law should apply.
Duterte was arrested and turned over to the ICC in The Hague on March 11 under a warrant for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s war on drugs.
On Nov. 28, the ICC Appeals Chamber denied Duterte’s bid for interim release, keeping him in ICC custody as pretrial proceedings continue.