No one is above the law — House committee chair
THE arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte upon his arrival in Manila on Tuesday morning following an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) proves that the Philippines upholds the rule of law and respects international legal commitments, a House leader said Tuesday.
Bataan Represenyative Geraldine Roman, chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, underscored the significance of this development, stating that it is proof of the country’s adherence to a rules-based order.
“This is proof that the Philippines is a country that respects the rules-based order in the world and that we uphold the rule of law. Nobody is above the law,” Roman told reporters in a press conference.
She emphasized that the government had no choice but to cooperate with the ICC and Interpol, as the country remains part of the international law enforcement system.
“Wala tayong choice kundi mag-cooperate. Sa nakaraan, nakipag-cooperate rin naman sa atin ang Interpol sa paghahanap kay Alice Guo. Isa tayong komunidad ng nations and we just have to respect the rule of law, hindi lamang sa ating bansa kundi sa buong mundo,” she added.
Duterte was arrested after his arrival from Hong Kong, where he had attended an event organized by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interpol served the ICC-issued warrant, which stemmed from his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity linked to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his war on drugs.
Roman said that the findings of the House’s Quad Committee (Quad Comm) on Duterte’s drug war, which included testimonies from victims’ families and human rights organizations, had strengthened the case against him.
“Magmula noong nagsimula ‘yung Quad Comm, October 2024, marami tayong nadiskubre na nakakalungkot. Nagkaroon ng tinig ‘yung mga biktima nitong war against drugs, ‘yung mga EJKs. Nagkaroon ng tinig ang mga pamilya ng mga biktima. And I would say that actually strengthened the case against the former President,” she said.
Roman also noted Duterte’s previous statements, in which he seemingly admitted to ordering killings during his presidency.
“During those hearings, by his own admission, the former President also mentioned that he did have a role, that he did order many of the killings. In fact, I couldn’t believe it when I heard and I saw it on television na talagang sinabi niya na nagpapapatay siya,” she said.
