MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla joined hundreds of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters on Wednesday, March 11, outside the Supreme Court in Manila, calling on the High Court to act on petitions questioning the legality of Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague a year ago.
The gathering coincided with the first anniversary of Duterte’s detention on March 11, 2025, related to alleged crimes against humanity tied to his anti-drug campaign. The former president remains in ICC custody while the tribunal reviews whether to confirm the charges and proceed to trial.
Padilla told reporters he attended not only as a member of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP‑Laban) but also to support the “Tay, Kami Naman!” signature campaign, which aims to demonstrate public backing for a Supreme Court ruling. He noted that tens of thousands of verified signatures were submitted in a second batch this week, bringing the total to around 238,000.
“After a year, many of ‘Tatay Digong’s’ supporters are anxious. We collected these signatures to show the Supreme Court how eager we are for a decision,” Padilla said, emphasizing the demand for the court to determine whether Duterte’s arrest and transfer complied with Philippine law.
He also reaffirmed that he and other supporters do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over Duterte and maintain that the matter should be resolved entirely within the Philippine justice system.
The rally was part of broader anniversary activities, including a “Bring Him Home” mass in Davao City, where participants in green prayed for Duterte’s return. Vice President Sara Duterte reiterated calls for respect for national sovereignty, labeling her father’s ICC arrest as an “extraordinary rendition.”
Meanwhile, Malacañang confirmed that the Philippines has no plans to rejoin the ICC, upholding its position against restoring membership in the Rome Statute despite ongoing debates surrounding Duterte’s case.
The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the petitions, leaving supporters eager for a resolution before the ICC finalizes its decision on confirming charges.
elamigo/xf
