Malacañang on Thursday, July 30, dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aided the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, labeling the statements as baseless and without merit.
Speaking at a Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Vice President’s claims lacked factual evidence and were likely driven by frustration over her father’s ongoing legal challenges before the ICC.
”Ang lahat po halos ng sinasabi ng Bise Presidente sa ngayon ay walang basehan, walang saysay, useless at nonsense. Maaaring ito ay kaniyang nasasabi out of frustration dahil ang kaniyang ama ngayon ay nililitis sa ICC,” Castro said.
Castro noted that the ICC case against the former president began in 2017, a time when Marcos was a private citizen and not in office.
She emphasized that President Marcos is merely executing his legal duties and should not be blamed for the legal proceedings against the former chief executive.
”Tumutupad lang ang Pangulo sa batas. Kung mayroong dapat sisihin, walang iba kung hindi ang kanyang sariling ama dahil sa mga pag-amin nito na siya mismo ay pumatay at nagpapatay, kasama ang ibang mga co-perpetrators,” Castro said.
Castro added that the Vice President might be frustrated because the ICC remains an independent body that cannot be swayed by external pressure or threats.
”Malamang ay ikinalulungkot lamang niya dahil ang ICC ay isang impartial court, hindi maaaring gamitan ng impluwensiya at hindi kayang takutin na saktan o anumang puwedeng gawing karahasan,” Castro added.
Reiterating the administration’s stance, Castro firmly rejected the accusations once more.
”So, muli, ang mga sinabi po ni Bise Presidente ay pawang walang katotohanan, useless, baseless, nonsense,” Castro stressed.
The Vice President raised the accusations on July 29 while addressing supporters in The Hague, claiming that figures in the Philippines—specifically naming President Marcos and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV—supported the ICC’s investigation into her father.
Additionally, Castro clarified that the administration has not yet discussed any plans regarding the Philippines rejoining the ICC.