By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
Two senators expressed their support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to withdraw the Philippines’ ratification of the Rome Statute that establishes the International Criminal Court.
“They’re trying to micromanage the country eh sumusobra,” Senate President Koko Pimentel said.
According to Pimentel, the President, who won the election, has the authority to “enforce the law.”
“Kasi imagine, sino nagrereklamo? Tapos ano yung mga alegasyon? Hindi ba ito domestic policy? This is law enforcement. Sa mata ng Presidente, nung nagkakampanya pa siya, the main problem is law and order. Ano root cause ng deterioration, sa mata niya, drugs. …May law and yet nakikialam sila,” Pimentel said.
Senator Manny Pacquiao agreed.
He said Duterte’s move could not be seen as an attempt to flee from prosecution because he did not do anything wrong in the first place.
“Ang prediction ko, hindi na aabot sa arrest warrant. Walang kwenta ‘yung kaso,” Pimentel said.
Lawyer Jude Sabio accused Duterte and other officials of committing crimes against humanity before the ICC last year.
Sabio cited for this the government’s drug war, which he said had claimed the lives of thousands.