Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a writ of habeas corpus, certiorari, and prohibition to challenge the government’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in enforcing an arrest warrant against his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The petition also calls for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to block government agencies from assisting the ICC and Interpol in the former president’s arrest and extradition.
“The acts of the respondents in cooperating with the ICC are unconstitutional and must be annulled,” the petition states.
Duterte is represented by Atty. Harry Roque, a former presidential spokesperson and international law expert, who emphasized the need to “protect national sovereignty” in response to the ICC’s actions.
The case raises critical legal and diplomatic issues, as the Philippines had officially withdrawn from the ICC in 2019, with Duterte’s administration arguing that the court no longer has jurisdiction over the country. However, the ICC has maintained that it retains authority to investigate alleged crimes committed before the withdrawal.
The Supreme Court has yet to set a hearing date for the petition.
