The Senate has adopted a resolution appealing to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider placing former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest due to his age and health condition.
With 15 senators voting in favor, three against, and two abstaining, Proposed Senate Resolution No. 144 was approved on Wednesday. The measure, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, emphasized that Duterte, who is now 80 years old, may not be fit to endure regular detention.
The resolution cited international standards, noting that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires humane treatment of detained persons. It also pointed out that ICC rules allow interim release with restrictions, such as staying at a specified address, refraining from contacting victims or witnesses, and complying with summonses.
Cayetano, in sponsoring the measure, said the legal process is already in motion both locally and at the ICC. “It is not against the tenet of human rights to allow any person, especially a former president, to be under house arrest… especially in the condition of President Duterte who is 80 years old,” he said.
For his part, Zubiri explained his support came from personal experience rather than politics. He said he was guided by his own situation as a son to an elderly father, stressing that his stance was about compassion rather than partisan lines.
Among those who backed the resolution were Senators Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Christopher “Bong” Go, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Erwin Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Panfilo Lacson, and Mark Villar.
Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Francis Pangilinan voted against the proposal.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Raffy Tulfo abstained. Sotto explained that he was torn between protecting Duterte’s health and respecting the pursuit of justice by victims’ families. “To afford PRRD with the optimal condition of his detention that will be beneficial for his physical and mental health, while taking into consideration the plight of the families who are seeking justice… I am supportive of any efforts to bring home PRRD and to uplift his well-being during this crucial time,” he said.
He added that his abstention was a decision of conscience, noting that taking a side might only deepen national divisions.
