Former president and now House Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 18 other lawmakers on Thursday filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to defend former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte against the International Criminal Court's (ICC) possible probe on the drug war campaign.
In House Resolution No. 780, Arroyo cited that the Duterte administration's "holistic and whole nation approach in ending insurgency and curbing the drug menace" helped improved the peace and order in the country.
"Former Rodrigo Roa Duterte's presidency has ushered remarked accomplished brought about by his relentless campaign against illegal drugs, insurgency, separatism, and terrorism, corruption in government and criminality thus making the life of every Filipino better, comfortable and peaceful," she said.
Arroyo asserted that Duterte's war against illegal drugs along with corruption and other crimes "is a prerequisite for achieving genuine growth and prosperity."
The House Senior Deputy Speaker also claimed that the country has a "functioning and independent judicial system."
"Now, therefore, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, that the House of Representatives declares unequivocal defense of Former President Rodrigo Duterte, the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, in any investigation and/or prosecution by the ICC," Arroyo said.
Among the lawmakers who also filed the resolution are Representatives Carmelo Lazatin II, Aurelio Gonzales, Anna York Bondoc-Sagum, Jose Alvarez, Mary Cajayon-Uy, Richard Gomez, Wilton Kho, Loreto Amante, Edward Hagedorn, and Edwin Olivarez.
Other lawmakers are Eric Martinez, Eduardo Rama Jr., Dale Corvera, Zaldy Villa, Ma. Renne Matibag, Mohamad Dimaporo, Johnny Pimentel, and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas.
In January, the ICC pre-trial chamber (ICC-PTC) approved the request of Prosecutor Karim Khan to resume the investigation into the alleged crimes and human rights abuses committed during the Duterte Administration's bloody war on drugs campaign.
Following the ICC-PTC's decision, Duterte maintained a stance on his bloody war against drugs campaign and said he is willing to get imprisoned for it.
