The Palace responded with a short but pointed remark—“Good luck”—to Senator Imee Marcos’ proposed “President Rodrigo Duterte Act,” which seeks to bar the forced turnover of Filipino suspects to foreign courts.
The measure, which Marcos filed in response to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) probe of former President Rodrigo Duterte, aims to prevent so-called cases of extraordinary rendition. Under the proposal, any government official who facilitates such a handover could face up to 20 years in prison.
The bill comes amid mounting speculation over Duterte’s potential arrest following the ICC’s ongoing investigation into his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro acknowledged the proposal but indirectly criticized it. She said it is the duty of lawmakers to craft legislation that benefits the nation—not measures serving personal interests.
Prior to filing the bill, Senator Marcos led a Senate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the possibility of Duterte being arrested and handed over to the ICC.
