VP Sara questions Senate independence, says ICC warrants need Philippine court authority

Vice President Sara Duterte questioned respect for Senate independence and said ICC arrest warrants cannot be enforced in the Philippines without authorization from local courts amid ongoing political debates. (Screengrab: OVP video)

Vice President Sara Duterte expressed concern over what she described as a growing lack of respect for the Senate’s independence, while reiterating that arrest warrants issued outside the Philippine judicial system cannot be enforced in the country without authorization from Philippine courts.

In a video interview released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Wednesday, May 13, Duterte discussed ongoing political controversies and issues related to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Well, nakakalungkot dahil nawawala ‘yung respeto ng mga ibang ahensya ng gobyerno sa independence ng ating Senado (It’s saddening because some government agencies are losing respect for the independence of our Senate),” Duterte said during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, on May 12.

The Vice President also questioned the understanding of sovereignty among some administration officials.

“At nakakahiya dahil meron tayong mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na ang administrasyon, na hindi nakakaintindi kung anong ibig sabihin ng soberanya o sovereignty ng isang bansa (And it’s embarrassing because we have fellow citizens, especially those in the administration, who do not understand what the sovereignty of a country means),” she added.

Duterte’s comments came after some senators urged Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender to authorities should the ICC issue a warrant of arrest against him.

She stressed that a warrant not issued by a Philippine court cannot be implemented within Philippine territory.

“Hindi ‘yan panawagan ng kahit sinong tao dahil ang isang warrant of arrest na hindi issued by a Philippine court cannot be implemented in Philippine soil (That is not a call from any person because a warrant of arrest that is not issued by a Philippine court cannot be implemented on Philippine soil),” she said.

Her remarks come amid continuing political and legal debates surrounding the jurisdiction of the ICC and issues involving Philippine sovereignty, particularly following the ICC investigation into allegations linked to the anti-illegal drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, Duterte declined to give detailed comments regarding the ICC’s newly announced legal counsel connected to the former president’s case.

The Vice President is currently in the Netherlands as former President Duterte faces legal proceedings before the ICC over allegations tied to his administration’s war on drugs.

Malacañang earlier announced that the Office of the President approved Duterte’s revised foreign travel schedule from May 2 to 15.

A Palace official said the travel authority, issued on April 28, covers visits to the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Duterte initially requested travel clearance from April 23 to May 15 but later revised her itinerary. — Merlina Hernando-Malipot

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