De Lima: Duterte and His Supporters to Blame for ICC Release Denial

Representative Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list stated bluntly that the family and supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte have no one to blame but themselves for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) rejection of Duterte’s petition for interim release.

De Lima issued the remark after Duterte’s family and allies lashed out at the ICC and the Marcos administration over the tribunal’s decision to deny the former president’s request.

“The ICC Appeals Chamber decision was expected. Duterte’s bid for interim release was, from the very start, hanging by a thread an appeal made on nothing more than a wing and a prayer,” De Lima said in her statement.

“No one else is responsible for this outcome except Duterte himself and his family and supporters. Their public statements were used by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) to justify the denial of interim release, a decision later upheld unanimously by the Appeals Chamber,” she added.

De Lima also urged the Duterte family particularly Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte to show restraint, warning that their behavior could further worsen the former president’s legal situation.

“Perhaps Duterte’s children and supporters, especially Bast who recently declared they would once again compile lists of alleged drug users for a new drug war in Davao should slow down,” she cautioned.

“Statements like these do nothing to help his father,” she stressed. “But we all know when have the Dutertes ever exercised restraint? They behave as if they are exempt from accountability. The father is already in detention, yet their culture of impunity persists.”