The Philippine government is assessing the legal and diplomatic implications of the United States’ campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Foreign Affairs had prepared a proposed position following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that Washington would urge other countries to withdraw from the ICC.
The DFA is awaiting guidance from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before releasing the government’s official response.
“Sa ngayon po ay pinag-aaralan ano ang maaaring maging epekto. Pinag-aaralan din naman kung ano ang magiging epekto nito sa pagpapatupad ng ating batas,” Castro said.
“At present, the potential impact is being studied. We are also examining how this will affect the enforcement of our laws,” she added.
Castro said she had spoken directly with Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro, who would consult Marcos before the administration finalizes its position.
“Kinausap ko po mismo si Secretary Tess Lazaro at mayroon po silang maaaring imensahe rito, pero kakausapin muna po nila ang Pangulo kung ano talaga ang maaari nating stance patungkol dito,” she said.
Sen. Imee Marcos earlier urged the administration not to dismiss Washington’s criticism of the ICC and to disclose any agreement between the Philippine government and the court.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte is detained at an ICC facility while facing crimes against humanity charges linked to killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute in March 2019. The Marcos administration has repeatedly said the country will not rejoin the ICC.
Malacañang, however, has maintained that the government remains committed to pursuing justice for victims of the Duterte administration’s drug war.