Palace accuses ICC Prosecutor Bensouda of “politicking”

December 16, 2020

Malacanang accused on Wednesday International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of "politicking" following her report finding "reasonable basis" that crimes against humanity were committed due to President Rodrigo Duterte's war on illegal drugs.

In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated Duterte's position that he would not acknowledge ICC jurisdiction over the complaint lodged against him.

He said Bensouda's report has no effect on the Philippines.

"You know, the truth is, Bensouda is just engaged in politicking because she's being criticized for focusing on her fellow Africans," he said.

Roque claimed that Bensouda was only pursuing the complaint against Duterte to make it appear that she was also looking into other communications, like the one filed against Duterte.

In a separate statement, Chief Presidential Legal Council Salvador Panelo also branded Bensouda's report as propaganda.

"The Report, or more appropriately, a political propaganda against PRRD (Duterte) is not only irrelevant to the Philippines but immaterial as well to the affairs of the country's government," he said.

"This is so, since the ICC, as we have repeatedly expounded, does not have jurisdiction over the Philippines, nor any of its state officials, given that the Rome Statute failed to comply with the publication requirement, demanded by the fundamental principle of due process under our Constitution. More so because the Rome Statute is penal in nature," he said.

He also reminded the ICC officials to observe their complimentarity principle, in line with the principle of state sovereignty.

"We remind and urge our citizens as well not to hesitate to file complaints against abusive practices violative of human rights, as this Administration ensures that it one with them in addressing all crimes, regardless of who the perpetrators are," Panelo added. Celerina Monte/DMS