The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected the Philippines government's appeal to suspend the investigation of its prosecutors into the Duterte administration's war against drugs campaign.
"The Appeals Chamber rejects the request of the Republic of the Philippines for the suspensive effect of the aforementioned decision of Pre-Trial Chamber 1," it said in its 8-page decision dated March 27, 2023 and signed by Presiding judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.
According to the appeals chamber, the country did not "include any reasons and arguments" in its appeal request.
"The Appeals Chamber notes that it would have been preferable for the Philippines to have included its supporting arguments for the request in the notice of appeal," it added.
In explaining why it rejected the appeal, the ICC pointed out the country failed to explain "how the alleged absence of a jurisdictional or legal basis for the resumption of the Prosecutor's activities pending the resolution of the appeal would defeat its very purpose and create an irreversible situation that could not be corrected."
The chamber also said that the Philippines failed to explain the "far-reaching and inimical consequences" or the implications of the prosecutor's probe on suspects, witnesses, and victims and what consequences the investigation would lead to.
"Lastly, the Appeals Chamber notes that as far as national investigations are concerned, the Philippines is in a position to continue its investigations irrespective of the ongoing proceedings before the Court," it further said.
On March 13, the Philippine government through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) submitted an appeal formally asking the ICC to suspend the probe.
It reiterated that the probe "lacks any legal foundations" and that this "encroach" on the country's sovereignty.
