Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — House Deputy Minority Leader and ML Party List Representative Leila de Lima has issued a call to “let the process and the truth unfold” at the International Criminal Court regarding the crimes against humanity allegation against former President Rodrigo Duterte over his administration’s drug war.De Lima made the statement during the House plenary session on Monday, as the ICC scheduled confirmation of charges proceedings against Duterte.“The confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court… is only a procedural step. It is not yet a conviction. It is not yet a verdict. It is the beginning of a formal process where evidence will be tested and rights will be protected. Let the process unfold. Let evidence be presented. Let the truth—wherever it leads—be established in the ICC as an international court of law. For too long, the drug war was framed as a battle between order and chaos. But the real divide has always been between impunity and accountability. Today, we must choose,” she said.De Lima questioned the progress of domestic investigations on alleged extra judicial killings.“While the ICC moves to examine the alleged masterminds of the drug war, what has happened to the thousands of cases involving low-level enforcers? Where are the systematic prosecutions of police officers implicated in suspicious operations? Where are the command investigations within the chain of command? Where are the administrative and criminal sanctions in cases with glaring inconsistencies?” she asked.“The present administration has spoken of recalibrating policy. It has spoken of reviewing cases. But review without prosecution is not justice. Recalibration without accountability is not reform.&quot;&quot;If we truly believed that the Philippines is capable of handling these cases domestically, we would see vigorous, transparent prosecutions—not only of those at the top, but also of those who pulled the trigger and those who falsified reports.&quot;&quot;The tragedy is this: while international prosecutors prepare to argue that crimes against humanity were committed, many families of victims here at home are still waiting for accountability in the killing of their loved ones. As far as we know, there have been only few investigations and prosecutions here, and only five convictions involving only low-level perpetrators. Hindi pa nga natin alam ano nang nangyayari sa mga kaunting imbestigasyon sa mga drug war killings,” De Lima added.The lawmaker and former Justice Secretary also asserted that the process at ICC has nothing to do with politics.“Hindi po  ito dahil sa pamumultika. Hindi rin po ito dahil sa impluwensya ng dayuhan. Nasasakdal po so Rodrigo Duterte dahil may nangyaring paglabag sa international law, at kailangan niyang managot kung mapatunayan ang kanyang kasalanan,” De Lima said.“It was an arrest, not kidnapping…Wala pong batas na nagsasabi na ang warrant of arrest ng ICC ay kailangan dumaan sa korte ngayong hindi na myembro ng ICC ang Pilipinas. Walang batas na nagbibigay ng jurisdiction sa kahit anumang korte sa Pilipinas sa pagreview ng mga warrant ng ICC,” she added.PPP Party List Representative Harold Duterte claimed in a statement on Monday that  the ICC case against his uncle is merely about politics.“Today is not about accountability. Today is not about victims or justice. Today is about politics plain and simple,” he claimed in a statement.Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025  on his arrival from Hong Kong at the request of the ICC as part of its probe into his &quot;war on drugs&quot; that defined his presidency.The ICC warrant for Duterte&#x27;s arrest said that as president, Duterte allegedly created, funded, and armed death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers.He was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day he was arrested.Duterte on March 14, 2025 appeared via video link before ICC judges. Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, which was supposed to be held last September 23, was postponed to a later date, citing a request from Duterte&#x27;s defense team.The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has rejected the request of Duterte&#x27;s defense team for his interim release.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ML Party List Representative Leila de Lima has issued a call to “let the process and the truth unfold” at the International Criminal Court regarding the crimes against humanity allegation against former President Rodrigo Duterte over his administration’s drug war.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ML Party List Representative Leila de Lima has issued a call to “let the process and the truth unfold” at the International Criminal Court regarding the crimes against humanity allegation against former President Rodrigo Duterte over his administration’s drug war.

De Lima on Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at ICC: ‘Let the process unfold’

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

De Lima on Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at ICC: ‘Let the process unfold’

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 23, 2026 06:45 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

International Criminal Court

war on drugs

confirmation of charges

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.