President Marcos still reluctant to have Philippines rejoin ICC

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains reluctant to have the Philippines rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), despite appeals from some opposition lawmakers.

In an interview with reporters in New York, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro said the President’s position on returning to the tribunal has not changed.

“Hindi nagbabago yung stance ng Pangulo. Hindi pa rin po tayo ngayon magrerejoin sa ICC,” Castro said.

When asked for an explanation, she replied, “’Yan lang ang binitawan sa akin na salita ng Pangulo.”

Marcos is in New York for a two-day working visit, including high-level meetings at the United Nations (UN).

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in March 2018 under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders; the withdrawal took effect a year later.

Duterte was later arrested in March 2025, six years after the withdrawal, on ICC orders over alleged crimes against humanity in his war on illegal drugs.

His arrest prompted calls for the Philippines to return to the Rome Statute. In June 2025, Castro said Marcos was open to discussions on the matter, but a formal return to the ICC had not been considered at that time.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I concluded hearings to confirm charges against the 80-year-old Duterte in late February. Around the same period, opposition lawmakers—including ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-List Rep. Renee Co—filed a House resolution urging the country to rejoin the ICC.

-Paraluman News