Malacañang said the United States’ call for countries to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) will not affect the ongoing proceedings involving former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Palace respects the US position on the ICC, after US President Donald Trump urged ICC member states to withdraw from the tribunal during his address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Trump described the ICC as an “out of control institution” and a “rogue institution” and called on member countries to resign. The United States is not an ICC member.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Malacañang does not see the US position affecting Duterte’s case before the ICC. She said hearings continue and that the complainants, lawyers, prosecutors and defense are respecting the judicial process.
Duterte appeared before the ICC in The Hague on Sept. 16 as the court heard arguments concerning his ability to stand trial. He faces charges involving crimes against humanity related to his administration’s war on drugs.
The Palace said the ongoing proceedings remain under the ICC’s process despite the latest statement from Washington.
The Marcos administration has also maintained its position that the Philippines should not rejoin the ICC or the Rome Statute for now.
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, but the ICC has continued proceedings concerning alleged crimes committed while the country was a member.
The Palace previously said the government’s cooperation with international authorities was carried out under Philippine law, including Republic Act 9851, and through coordination with Interpol.
The latest US statement therefore does not change the Palace’s stated position on the Duterte case or the administration’s current policy on rejoining the ICC.
The ICC proceedings remain separate from the US government’s position on the international tribunal, with the case continuing under the court’s established legal process and court procedures.
