Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said there is nothing wrong with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to bar the Philippines from rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), pointing out that even superpowers are not members of the ICC.
“The US, Russia and China are not members of the ICC, but they are not pariahs to other nations. It’s our choice not to join, hindi natin kailangan sumabay sa uso,” said Remulla.
Remulla was reacting to former senator Leila De Lima’s statement that Marcos Jr. made a wrong call (“Mali ‘yan”) in keeping the Philippines out of the ICC. He also pushed back against De Lima’s claim that local courts may not be able to deliver proper justice to the families of suspects slain in the drug war of the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, especially those falsely accused of involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Remulla said the country’s judicial system is functioning well, and people who want justice can just go directly to the DOJ, the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies.
The problem with the drug war killings, according to Remulla, is often the lack of witnesses that would help strengthen cases. Witnesses, he said, should “come forward and testify in court.”
The Justice chief said they know their responsibilities at the DOJ and will definitely pursue cases as long as these are within the prescription period.
“Whoever it is, whoever are involved in the killings, wala kaming sinasanto,” said Remulla.