Judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) led by Romania’s Iulia Antoanella Motoc (first photo) enter the ICC courtroom in The Hague, the Netherlands, to preside over Friday’s preliminary hearing on the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity, in connection with the drug war on his watch. The government of his successor and estranged ally, President Marcos, on Tuesday facilitated Duterte’s transport to The Hague upon the release of the ICC’s March 7 arrest warrant as carried out by Interpol. Salvador Medialdea, Duterte’s former executive secretary who acted as his counsel (3rd photo), argued before the court on Friday that his transfer to the ICC constituted “a pure and simple kidnapping.” Duterte, who was allowed to attend the hearing remotely, appeared frail and shaken as he responded to questions by Motoc confirming his identity and age. Relatives of victims of the drug war took part in the dramatic events of Duterte’s arrest, as they held a gathering (2nd photo) in Quezon City on Friday to again clamor for justice and later that evening watched the ICC proceedings online—as history unfolded with a president accused of serious crimes facing an international court. —AP, MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
NEW TERMINAL FOR WORKFORCE
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon leads the opening of the SM North Edsa Busway on March 13. The project aims to enhance the Edsa busway system by providing commuters with improved access and convenience—aspects of public transportation that had been often neglected despite labor’s key role in the economy. Dizon described the new transportation facility as a “model system.” —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
CLASSIC RENDERED IN PH LANGUAGES
Writer, editor and translator Faye Flores-Melegrito shows the classic children’s book “The Little Prince” in its Ilokano (left) and Visayan translations. Writers upholding the various Filipino languages have long discouraged their classification as “dialects,” a term they describe as a legacy of colonial rule that overlooks the diversity between these languages. The translations were among the books promoted at this year’s Philippine Book Festival in SM Megamall which ends on Sunday. —LYN RILLON
