Year 2018: De Lima Predicted Justice Will Still Arrive for Duterte Despite ICC Withdrawal
October 27, 2018 – Senator Leila M. de Lima has released a commentary addressing the complexities surrounding President Rodrigo Duterte's withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). De Lima argues that the discussion should not center solely on Duterte's authority but rather on the rights and protection of the Filipino people. She emphasizes that the Philippines' membership in the ICC was a sovereign act meant to safeguard citizens against potential abuses of power when domestic systems fail. The senator criticizes the notion that the withdrawal is about sovereignty or colonialism, highlighting the Philippines' active role in the Rome Statute's creation and its historical contributions to international law. She contends that the move is driven by a fear of accountability, suggesting Duterte seeks to evade potential prosecution for alleged crimes against humanity related to his "War on Drugs." De Li...