Manila, Philippines – Amid the ongoing debate on whether the ICC trial against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will be pushed through, given his health condition, the calls of his camp for his release became stronger.
In the Philippines, the Senate on Wednesday acted on a measure seeking release of Duterte, citing his current health condition.
Duterte’s former 2016 running mate and now Minority leader Senator Alan Peter Cayetano led the Senate’s discussion on Resolution No. 144 urging the ICC to grant the former President house arrest under humanitarian considerations.
The resolution requests ICC to assign a medical professional that will evaluate Duterte’s fitness to stand trial, and if the results says that he cannot, then he should be put under house arrest instead of a regular detention.
In his privilege speech, Cayetano argued that amid the allegation, Duterte remains not guilty of the chrges before ICC, hence, he should also be granted due process and humanitarian treatment like ordinary citizens.
In his defense, Cayetano noted that the resolution does not aim to undermine the gravity of the charges against Duterte, but his current detention seems like he is being punished even though he is not convicted of any crimes yet.
For Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, the talks of the resolution is not political, rather, a display of compassion to a fellow Filipino, more so a former President.
He noted that while other convicted presidents were given considerations, then so should be Duterte.
15 senators agreed to the resolution, including the two floor leaders, as well as Bato Dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Win Gatchalian, Bong Go, Ping Lacson, Loren Legarda, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Erwin Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, and Mark Villar.
Three senators disagreed namely Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, and Risa Hontiveros.
While Hontiveros agrees that humanitarian considerations should be given, she believes that Duterte’s case is too heavy to be considered as ordinary,
She also questioned the government’s move to release Duterte under humanitarian guise, when in the Philippines, ordinary Filipinos accused of crimes are not given consideration, even with old age or health condition.
With 15-3-2 votes, the Senate adopted the resolution, with Cayetano urging the Malacañang to consider this call amid political division.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News