The Senate voted Wednesday to adopt a resolution urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider placing former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest, citing humanitarian reasons.
With a vote of 15 in favor, three against, and two abstentions, senators approved Resolution No. 144, led by Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Minority Leader Alan Cayetano. The resolution emphasized Duterte’s advanced age and the need for strict medical monitoring.
Among those who supported the measure were Senators JV Ejercito, Alan Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Win Gatchalian, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Rodante Marcoleta, Robin Padilla, Erwin Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Zubiri.
Voting against the resolution were Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino. Senators Tito Sotto and Raffy Tulfo abstained. Absent from the session were Senators Lito Lapid, Camille Villar, Chiz Escudero, and Pia Cayetano.
Explaining his vote, Lacson said, “For a fellow Filipino who is in a faraway place and imprisoned, I vote yes.” Cayetano added, “Can you imagine how President Duterte is coping now? The appeal is for humanitarian treatment, and we do it as a country.”
Opposing senators cited the families of victims of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, arguing that granting house arrest would overlook their suffering. Hontiveros and Pangilinan stressed that the resolution sends the wrong message to those still seeking justice.
The ICC continues its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity linked to the former president’s anti-drug campaign.
