Malacañang yesterday assured that administration officials will comply with the Office of the Ombudsman’s directive requiring them to submit counter-affidavits concerning the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The probe stems from a request filed by Senator Imee Marcos, who called for an inquiry into the involvement of certain high-ranking officials in Duterte’s crimes against humanity case with the ICC.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro acknowledged the Ombudsman’s swift action and affirmed that the administration would cooperate fully.
“We are aware of the powers of the Ombudsman,” Castro said.
“In response to Senator Imee Marcos’ complaint, the concerned officials will comply and submit their counter-affidavits. We reiterate that all their actions were in accordance with the law,” she added.
The Ombudsman ordered Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and four other officials to respond to the Senate foreign relations committee’s complaint, led by Senator Imee, regarding the March 11 arrest and ICC handover of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had issued a directive regarding the matter, Castro emphasized the President’s consistent stance on legal compliance.
“The President always says: follow the law, follow procedures that are valid and legal,” she said.
When pressed by reporters on whether the speed of the Ombudsman’s action was unusual, Castro declined to speculate.
In a statement, Sen. Marcos praised the Ombudsman for his quick action and said she would continue her committee’s probe until all questions are answered relative to arrest and surrender of the former president for trial before the ICC.
Meanwhile, the Palace dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte’s accusation that the President committed an impeachable offense by allegedly allowing “foreign interference” in the arrest of her father.
“The administration’s actions were lawful and carried out in cooperation with Interpol,” Castro said in response to media questions. “The government did not surrender our sovereignty — it surrendered an accused individual,” Castro said.
On March 11, the elder Duterte was arrested by local authorities at the airport upon arriving from an overseas political sortie, before being quickly flown to the Netherlands, where he was surrendered to the ICC.
The Vice President earlier said Mr. Marcos should be held liable for what she claimed was foreign interference in domestic affairs, describing the arrest as a “culpable violation of the Constitution” and “betrayal of public trust.”
“Yes, because number 1, the kidnapping of President Duterte in our country would not have happened without the President’s approval,” the younger Duterte said in Visayan.
“He should answer for it because that is an impeachable offense. It’s a culpable violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust because they allowed a foreign jurisdiction to intervene in our national sovereignty,” she added.
Castro pushed back, saying the vice president’s assertions were baseless.
“That opinion has no legal basis,” she said.
The Palace spokesperson reiterated that Duterte is considered a suspect in multiple murder cases filed by Filipino complainants who claim to be victims of extrajudicial killings.
“This is not about giving up national sovereignty, this is about holding a suspect accountable under the rule of law,” she pointed out.
The Marcos administration has not confirmed direct cooperation with the ICC but has acknowledged coordination with Interpol and adherence to legal processes.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Palace vows full cooperation with Ombudsman probe of Duterte arrest.”
