By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court of the Philippines clarified on Sunday that it has not yet issued a final decision on the petition filed by Ronald dela Rosa questioning the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in the Philippines.
The high court emphasized that its earlier action only covered the senator’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and not the merits of the main petition itself.
According to the SC, the individual opinions of the justices regarding the TRO denial are still scheduled to be released on Monday, May 25.
High Court Says Remarks Were Taken Out of Context
The clarification came after claims circulated suggesting that the court had already made a definitive ruling on the case, supposedly based on comments made by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.
However, the SC stressed that Leonen’s statements were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
The magistrate reportedly made the remarks during a meeting with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Mindanao State University in Marawi City, where discussions centered mainly on Shari’ah law and the duties of legal practitioners.
TRO Denied, Main ICC Question Still Pending
Last May 20, the Supreme Court voted 9-5-1 to deny Dela Rosa’s plea for a TRO and status quo ante order seeking to block the enforcement of a possible ICC arrest warrant tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Despite the denial, the tribunal has yet to resolve the larger constitutional question regarding whether ICC arrest warrants may be enforced in the country.
Dela Rosa has been linked to the controversial war on drugs under former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently under ICC custody and facing crimes against humanity charges connected to the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Government data previously placed drug war deaths at over 6,000, while human rights organizations estimate the figure could exceed 30,000.
ia/xf
