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Delon Porcalla - The Philippine Star
February 24, 2026 | 12:00am
The International Criminal Court is investigating killings linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign, which rights groups say left thousands dead.
Philstar.com / illustration
MANILA, Philippines — Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives yesterday filed resolutions seeking the revival of the Philippines’ membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Duterte administration withdrew the country’s membership in March 2018.
Reps. Renee Co, Antonio Tinio and Sarah Jane Elago of the Makabayan bloc authored House Resolution 809 while Akbayan Reps. Perci Cendaña, Chel Diokno, Dadah Kiram Ismula and Dinagat Island Rep. Kaka Bag-ao introduced HR 811.
“Rejoining the ICC would send a clear and strong message that the Philippines honors its constitutional obligations, respects the sanctity of life and is committed to breaking the cycle of impunity and state violence,” read a portion of Makabayan’s three-page resolution.
They said a “re-engagement with the ICC would strengthen the country’s global reputation as a rights-respecting democracy, restore international confidence in the Philippine legal system and bolster partnerships rooted in justice, good governance and the rule of law.”
“The House, as the duly elected constitutional voice of the Filipino people, is duty-bound to champion justice, truth and transparency, and to advance the national interest by aligning the country with international norms of human rights protection,” the militant lawmakers stated.
They added HR 809 “formally expresses its sense urging the government of the Philippines to take necessary steps toward the re-accession of the Philippines to the Rome Statute, thereby rejoining the ICC and reaffirming its commitment to upholding justice, human dignity and the rule of law.”
The militant legislators also invoked Section 17 Paragraph 2 of the “Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes against Humanity” contained in Republic Act 9851, as among the justifications for the country’s rejoining ICC.
“In the interest of justice, the relevant Philippines authorities may dispense with the investigation or prosecution of a crime punishable under this act if another court or international tribunal is already conducting the investigation or undertaking the prosecution of such crime,” RA 9851 read.
“Instead, the authorities may surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court, if any, or to another state pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties,” the resolution stated, quoting from RA 9851.
Cendaña said returning to the ICC would be an act of solidarity with all the victims of extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration. — Ghio Ong, Ramon Efren Lazaro
