The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday firmly refuted claims that Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida or any DOJ officials had engaged in meetings with representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.
“At this point, we can categorically state that no such meetings involving the ICC, Secretary Vida, or any DOJ official have taken place,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said during an impromptu interview.
Martinez clarified that even if such meetings had occurred, they would not violate Philippine laws.
“Our current laws do not explicitly prohibit coordination with the ICC or even Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization). While it’s clear that we’ve withdrawn from the Rome Statute, there is no legal provision that bars cooperation with international agencies or tribunals, nor does it render such actions unconstitutional. Wala pong ganon sa batas natin,” he explained.
The clarification followed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s admission that he had met with ICC officials during his tenure as justice secretary.
The issue surfaced after a group of individuals, identifying themselves as former soldiers, alleged that Remulla had met with ICC investigators between 2023 and 2025, alongside former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre III, now serving as Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager.
Martinez also noted that the DOJ is awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on petitions challenging Duterte’s arrest on March 11, 2025.
“We reiterate our previous stance that, given the pending petitions for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court, we find it prudent to await the resolution of the Supreme Court,” he said.