MANILA (UPDATED) — Malacañang on Wednesday said it is not yet mulling legal actions against personalities urging overseas Filipino workers to hold a "Zero Remittance Week" to protest the ICC arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

This even as Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted the possible economic impact of such a move on the country.

Economists: 'Zero remittance' protest may affect OFW families

She said the call might be seen as inciting to sedition if it is meant to keep the government from doing its duty because of the effect witholding remittances may have on the economy.

Remittances, which OFWs send directly to their families, are seen as a driver of economic activity.

“Pero as we speak now, wala po tayong nakikita na ating sasampahan ng kaso – wala pa po tayo sa ganiyang sitwasyon,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

(But as we speak, we don't see anyone we would file complaints against — not at this point)

While the government will not make any move to prevent OFWs from joining the protest, Castro says they expect minimal support for the zero remittance week.

“Noon natin pong sinagot ang patungkol dito na zero remittance nakita ko po sa ibang mga comments na iyong mga ibang OFWs ay sinabi nilang hindi sila lalahok dahil magugutom ang kanilang pamilya, maaapektuhan ang pamilya nila kapag sinunod nila ang zero remittance,” she said.

(When we responded to this call for a zero remittance week, I saw some comments saying some of the OFWs will not participate because it will mean hunger for their families. Their families will be affected if they join the zero remittance week)

She has previously appealed to OFWs to not see the government as their enemy and reminded them that the call for zero remittances would affect not just the government but their families at home too.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday echoed the same sentiment.

While DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega believes it is the right of the OFW to decide whether or not they will send money back to the Philippines for political reason, he doubts whether they can sustain not giving money to their families for that period of time.

“Ang comment ko lang dyan, alam namin sa DFA, palaging nagreremit mga kababayan natin, kailangan ng mga kamag-anak sa Pilipinas. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin nila na walang i-remit for 4 days. Ganon pa man, that is their right. Desiyon nilang magpadala ng pera, nasa kanila yon,” De Vega said in a televised briefing.

'STUDY THE ADVICE BEFORE IT BURNS THEM' 

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile in his Facebook post earlier floated the idea of Congress suspending the tax privileges of OFWs as "counter action" to those who would participate in the zero remittance protest.

"The OFWs  are income tax-free on their earnings abroad; they do not pay travel taxes; they do not pay airport fees; they are exempt from the documentary stamp taxes on their remittances; and they are also exempt from filing income tax returns," he wrote.

"In addition, they have to have passports to be able to work as OFWs. Congress granted these privileges to them by laws enacted by it. I earnestly suggest to our OFWs to study carefully that advice to them before they get burned by it," he added.

The government has granted OFWs benefits and has created a Department of Migrant Workers in recognition of the millions of Filipinos working abroad due to lack of opportunities in the Philippines.

Castro however was quick to reaffirm that government would not stop anyone from protesting.

“Pinapaalalahanan lang po sila ni Presidential Chief Legal Counsel, na ang gobyerno po ay tumutulong sa OFWs, hindi po kinakalaban ang OFWs," she explained.

(That was just a reminder that the government helps OFWs and isn't working against the,)

She said it is up to OFWs to decide whether or not they will send money home as long as they do not break any laws.

Ex-president Duterte confident he has 'no case' to answer at ICC, says VP Sara

SIGNATURE DRIVE TO PETITION ICC TO SEND DUTERTE BACK 

Aside from several OFWs expressing intent to protest, two senatorial bets plan are planning to file a petition before the ICC seeking to return Duterte to the country.

Former Sen. Gringo Honasan and SAGIP Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta — a memebr of the Duterte-backed PDP Laban slate — led the initiative, which aims to gather signatures from non-government organizations.

"Signature campaign from NGOs dahil wala kaming personalidad para ihain ito on an individual basis. So binubuo namin ang isang malawak at malapad na coalition ng non government organization na kasama rin sa regulasyon mismo ng ICC," Honasan said in a press conference at the University of the Philippines Hotel in UP Diliman in Quezon City Wednesday, March 26.

(It is a signature campaign for NGOs because we have no personality to file this on an individual basis. So we are forming a broad coalition, which is allowed by ICC rules)

He said Duterte should face trial in a local court instead of a foreign one.

Duterte camp insists to SC: Former President 'abducted'

Honasan served as the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology under then President Duterte.

The Palace said it will not intervene with Honasan's petition.

“Well, karapatan naman po niya kung anong nais niyang gawin para ipagtanggol ang dating Pangulong Duterte. Pero mas mainam po siguro makipag-usap muna siya sa legal team ni dating Pangulong Duterte baka hindi naman po siya pansinin sa ICC,” Castro said.

(Well, that is his right in his desire to defend former president Duterte. But it would be better for him to coordinate with the legal team, this might end up being ignored at the ICC)

PALACE STILL NOT COOPERATING WITH ICC 

Amid criticisms from Duterte's allies and supporters on Marcos Jr.'s supposed back-and-forth decision on letting ICC intervene in Philippine matters, Castro said the government is still firm that ICC has no jurisdiction over the country.

“We have not been cooperating with the ICC — it’s clear, because the stance of the President regarding the jurisdiction of ICC over the Philippines remains,” Castro said.

Palace official says time to discuss whether Philippines should rejoin ICC

Palace official says time to discuss whether Philippines should rejoin ICC The statement comes after ICC Spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah thanked Philippine authorities for its cooperation and commitment to the international accountability mechanisms in arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte on an ICC warrant.

The Palace has maintained that the implementation of the arrest of the former president is in compliance with the Philippines’ obligations as a member of the Interpol, and not because of the ICC.