Julia Christine Botin

Article (news)

Anthony James Bayog

ABS-CBN News

<p>International Criminal Court (ICC) Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti on Thursday (October 2) dismissed the Senate resolution urging house arrest for former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it “pure noise” with no bearing on the ICC’s jurisdiction.</p><p>Conti warned the move could backfire, as prosecutors may use it to argue that Duterte continues to wield influence in Congress, undermining his defense team’s bid for interim release.</p><p>“The prosecutor would raise this as fact, as proof that Duterte, indeed, still has significant national clout. Thus, it would be impossible or troublesome if he were to return to the Philippines,” she said.</p><p>Conti said the measure is unlikely to be considered by the ICC unless the defense itself submits it.</p><p>“By itself, the Senate resolution will not likely be transmitted to the court. I mean, how? There&#x27;s only one possible way it could be transmitted since it&#x27;s in favor of the defense, then probably by the defense lawyers,” she explained.</p><p>Conti also questioned the senators’ motives in pushing the measure.</p><p>&quot;Who you? Sino kayo sa harap ng ICC? There are many statements that I see that maybe they were just trying to court some votes, win over some votes, because at least as to humanitarian, they were for Duterte so this is an eye for 2028.&quot; she said.</p><p>“This is not how it works in another jurisdiction. The International Criminal Court is somewhere we aren’t even members of, and will not likely look at legislative branches as part of their considerations,” she stressed.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;HUMANITARIAN CONSIDERATIONS&#x27;</strong></div><p>Voting 15-3-2, the Senate on Wednesday (October 1) <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/1/senate-oks-resolution-urging-house-arrest-for-duterte-1906">approved a resolution</a> urging the ICC to grant Duterte house arrest for “humanitarian considerations.”</p><p>The resolution, authored by Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, asks the ICC to designate a doctor to examine Duterte “and ascertain that he is fit to withstand regular detention.”</p><p>Senators added that if the designated doctor finds Duterte’s continued detention “will further worsen his medical condition, the ICC is urged to allow the former president to be detained under house arrest.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BATO DELA ROSA IN ICC&#x27;S SIGHTS</strong></div><p>Conti further noted that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Duterte’s former police chief and implementer of Oplan Tokhang, could also face arrest.</p><p>“There were many perpetrators and I see at least one most responsible – the Senator and former PNP chief was implementor of Oplan Tokhang, which was eerily similar to the Davao Death Squad. Therefore, it would be impossible to try Duterte without Bato Dela Rosa,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><p>Duterte is facing investigation for <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/23/icc-office-of-the-prosecutor-releases-details-of-charges-vs-duterte-0057">crimes against humanity</a> over thousands of deaths linked to his administration’s war on drugs from 2016 to 2022, as well as killings tied to vigilante-style operations in Davao City during his time as mayor.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>– With reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></div>

<p>International Criminal Court Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti on Thursday called the Senate resolution urging house arrest for former President Rodrigo Duterte "pure noise", saying it will not affect the ICC's jurisdiction on the case.</p>

International Criminal Court Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti on Thursday called the Senate resolution urging house arrest for former President Rodrigo Duterte "pure noise", saying it will not affect the ICC's jurisdiction on the case.

'Sino kayo sa ICC?': Conti questions Senate vote for Duterte's house arrest

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'Sino kayo sa ICC?': Conti questions Senate vote for Duterte's house arrest

Anthony James Bayog,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 02, 2025 01:48 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 02, 2025 08:46 PM PHT

Read More:

Kristina Conti

international criminal court

rodrigo duterte

the hague

crimes against humanity

alan peter cayetano

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