Senate OKs resolution on Du30 house arrest
With 15 voting in favor, 3 opposing it and two abstaining, the Senate adopted on Wednesday a resolution requesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian reasons.
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 144, which was signed by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, emphasized that because of the advanced age and deteriorating health of Duterte, the ICC should designate a physician or medical doctor to examine the former president and ascertain if he is fit to withstand regular detention.
But should the medical findings prove that detention will further worsen his medical condition, the court should allow the former president to be placed instead under house arrest.
According to the resolution, “such house arrest, or a similar appropriate arrangement, will be subject to conditions restricting liberty to be imposed by the ICC, presenting no risk to the integrity of the ongoing trial.”
Subject to conditions
The senators also argued in the resolution that under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
“The Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the ICC allows persons being tried there in interim release, subject to conditions restricting liberty, including staying at a particular address, not contacting directly or indirectly victims or witnesses, and responding when summoned by an authority or qualified person designated by the ICC,” they said.
In his sponsorship speech, Cayetano said the wheels of justice were already moving— whether it be in the country or in The Hague where the ICC is based.
“It is not against the tenet of human rights to allow any person, especially a former president, to be under house arrest or to be under a country supervised under ICC, especially in the condition of President Duterte who is 80 years old,” he added.
Duterte faces three counts of murder before the ICC for the thousands killed in his drug war.
Not about politics
Zubiri, for his part, said his personal stand on the issue does not have anything to do with politics. He said it is only based on his point of view as a son to a father who is
now 85 years old and ailing.
“For me, this is not politics. This is not DDS (term used for Duterte supporters) or Marcos. I am speaking as a son to a father who has the same illnesses as the [former] president right now. Mine is more of a humanitarian compassionate request,” said Zubiri.
“That’s why we toned down the resolution—just showing in view of his deteriorating health … we’re just appealing to the ICC to allow it within the rules,” he added.
Aside from Zubiri and Cayetano, the other senators who voted in favor were Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Christopher “Bong” Go, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Erwin Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Panfilo Lacson and Mark Villar.
Those who opposed the resolution were Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Sen. Raffy Tulfo abstained from voting.
