News Roundup 18 July 2023
Jul 18, 2023 • 5 min Read
ICC junks PH plea to stop probe into deaths linked to war vs. drugs | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines – The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied the motion for reconsideration of Philippine government to stop the international body’s investigation into the war against illegal drugs launched by the Duterte administration.
The ruling today allowed the continuation of the probe that is looking into the drug-related killings during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Philippine seeks a reversal of the impending decision… I would like to state that it is rejected by the appeals chamber by the majority,” the ruling stated.
Last March 2023, Philippine government had asked the Pre-Trial Chambers (PTC) to reverse its January 26 decision that gave the go-signal for the resumption of the process.
OSG had argued that ICC lost jurisdiction over the case after Philippine government withdrew its membership from the organization in 2019.
This was upon the directive of the former Chief Executive.
However, this argument was contested by ICC Special Prosecutor Karim Khan.
He countered the appeal of Philippine government, saying that Philippines was still part of the Statute (law) of ICC when the alleged abuses and reported extra-judicial killings were committed.
The investigation covers alleged crimes that happened from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019.
Philippines’ withdrawal took effect on March 17, 2019.
With the release of the verdict today, Khan’s investigation can now proceed.
Full Story at: ICC junks PH plea to stop probe into deaths linked to war vs. drugs | Global News (inquirer.net)
First year of Marcos presidency was wasted, says Hontiveros | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Citing the time and political capital consumed to enact the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill into law, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said the first year of Bongbong Marcos’ presidency was wasted.
“With the time lost and political capital used up in promulgating the Maharlika Fund, especially since [Finance Secretary] Diokno and the President [Marcos] still insist that Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System funds should still collaborate with Maharlika — Diokno failed in his mission of using the mandate of the Administration to pursue tax and fiscal reforms and to keep the National Treasury well-funded. The first year of this Marcos Presidency was wasted,” said Hontiveros in a statement.
The lawmaker, in the same breath, stood her ground and stated that the priority measure was unnecessary.
Full Story at: First year of Marcos presidency was wasted, says Hontiveros | Inquirer News
Probe into Duterte ‘drug war’ resumes as ICC rejects Philippines’ bid to block it | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:21 p.m.) — The International Criminal Court can resume its investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed during former President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s bloody “war on drugs”, marking a crucial step toward justice for the victims and their families.
The judges in the ICC appeals chamber rejected Tuesday the appeal of the Philippine government against the Pre-Trial Chamber’s authorization to resume the investigation into the drug killings when Duterte was president and, earlier, Davao City mayor.
“It is rejected by the appeals chamber by majority and the impugned decision is therefore confirmed,” Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said. Three out of five ICC judges rejected the appeal.
According to Brichambaut, the decision challenged by the Philippine government is not a decision on jurisdiction, and the issue of the effect of the country’s withdrawal on the court’s jurisdiction was “neither properly raised nor adequately ventilated” before the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber.
Majority of the ICC judges also found that the Philippines has failed to demonstrate the errors of the pre-trial chamber.
In January, the court authorized the inquiry, noting the government’s initiative to reexamine drug war killings did “not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps.”
Full Story at: Probe into Duterte ‘drug war’ resumes as ICC rejects Philippines’ bid to block it | Philstar.com
Victims’ families, groups hail ICC decision to proceed with ‘drug war’ probe | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Groups and families left behind by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal “war on drugs” welcomed the International Criminal Court’s decision to continue its investigation into the Philippines with hope that it would finally give them justice for alleged extrajudicial killings.
The ICC this Tuesday (Manila time) affirmed its decision to carry on with its investigation into a campaign that led to the deaths of over 6,000 acknowledged by the government. Estimates by rights groups that include deaths attributed to vigilantes and drug syndicates reach as high as 30,000.
“We will continue to speak out, seek justice and fight! We are no longer under president Duterte but the spate of killings continue,” said Amy Jane Lee of Rise UP this Tuesday in Filipino, speaking on behalf of families left orphaned and widowed by extrajudicial killings.
“We were the ones made to face difficulties. Why would we be embarassed? The pain of our loss will not cease just because of the ICC decision. Only time, humility on the part of those who oppressed us and accountability of the perpetuators could make us heal.”
The kin of the EJK victims and their advocates said that they are ready to cooperate with the ICC as it pushes forward, with the decision building confidence for accountability for the killings.
Full Story at: Victims’ families, groups hail ICC decision to proceed with ‘drug war’ probe | Philstar.com
