Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros welcomed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a “historic day” especially for families of victims of the war on drugs.
“Historic day. I’m sure lalo na sa mga pamilya nabalo, naulila dung sa tens of thousands na pinatay na biktima ng so-called war on drugs, biktima ng extrajudicial killings,” Hontiveros said on February 24.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I in The Hague opened proceedings Monday, outlining three charges against Duterte.
Prosecutors also named Senators Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa as alleged co-perpetrators.
Hontiveros noted the timing coincided with the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
“Pansin nyo ba kasabay ng 40th anniversary of People Power. So wow, parang isang bagong yugto, isang bagong mukha ng tuloy-tuloy na pagpapahayag ng kapangyarihan ng mamamayan,” she remarked.
She emphasized that victims’ families and their lawyers, including Attorney Joel Butuyan, are best positioned to anticipate the evidence to be presented.
“The price they have paid para mag-survive hanggang sa araw na ito at para makarating dun sa Hague na maparinig dun sa mastermind nung suffering nila yung ganito mga proseso,” she said.
The senator renewed her call for the Philippines to rejoin the ICC, which the country withdrew from in 2019 under Duterte’s administration.
“Yes we should rejoin the International Criminal Court… kita natin ngayon sa marami natin mga kababayang EJK families na yun ang naging last chance nila para makakuha ng hustisya after our justice system was not able to deliver,” she added.