The Senate has passed a resolution calling on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider placing former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest on humanitarian grounds.
In its session on Wednesday, October 1, lawmakers approved Senate Resolution No. 144 with 15 votes in favor, 3 against, and 2 abstentions. The measure, authored by Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, also recommends assigning a medical expert to evaluate Duterte’s health. If his condition is deemed at risk of worsening under detention, the resolution appeals for house arrest with restrictions instead of imprisonment.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, one of the three who voted against, opposed the move, stressing that the ICC has a mandate to safeguard the well-being of individuals under its custody.
“Wala pong indikasyon na ang International Criminal Court ay nagpapabaya sa pagbantay sa kalusugan at kagalingan ng mga taong nasa kustodiya nila,” Hontiveros said.
She further noted that supporting such a resolution could compromise justice for the victims of alleged abuses. “Alang-alang sa pagrespeto sa hustisya, fairness, at alaala nung mga ang mga buhay nila ay ninakaw at winasak… hindi ko po in good conscience masuportahan ang resolusyong ito,” she added.
The resolution, spearheaded by Zubiri and Cayetano, underscores the Senate’s collective appeal for a humanitarian consideration should Duterte face ICC custody.