Changing tune

In a pre-Christmas event in Tarlac, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her wish for every Filipino household: peace, love and joy. I share the sentiment. For many kababayans in all corners of the globe, the family is front and center of this happiest day in the Christian world. Whether in the flesh or spirit, as in the case of our overseas workers and Filipino immigrants, we find ways to celebrate the Birth of the Savior Jesus with our loved ones.  

May we continue to be a blessing to our kababayans and the nation. Maligayang Pasko po!

Speaking of the festive season, I am positive the Duterte family would have a fine celebration despite being in the maelstrom of politically motivated controversies in the last half of 2023. Recently, I received disturbing information from unimpeachable sources. First is the apparent about-face of the Marcos administration regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its decision to investigate human rights abuses related to the Philippine war on drugs from 2011 to 2019. The victims’ representatives have identified former president Rodrigo Duterte and Inday Sara as among the personalities responsible for the bloody anti-drug campaign.

Second, the government seems keen on cooperating with the ICC Prosecutor and other investigators. I learned from my source that several foreigners allegedly affiliated with the Court has frequented the law office assisting the alleged victims of the drug war. I am afraid to say that the government may have already allowed these individuals to proceed with the investigation. It violates our Constitution since we are no longer a State Party to the Rome Statute.

Previously, the government has reiterated its disengagement with the Hague-based tribunal following our membership withdrawal in 2019. In July, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. stressed the “Philippines is done with the ICC” after the Appellate Court rejected our appeal against the probe.

But in November, the Chief Executive seems to have backtracked. It was around that time a rumored destabilization plot against his government surfaced. Marcos said the government is studying the possibility of the Philippines returning to the ICC fold.