THE 20TH City Council urged the Senate to petition or support any plea to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the immediate interim release of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in accordance with Article 60 of the Rome Statute.
Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado passed the resolution on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, under the suspended rules of the 12th regular session.
Zozobrado stressed that under Article 60, the former president can seek interim release pending pre-trial and trial proceedings provided that sufficient guarantees and strict conditions set by the Rome Statute for his availability and personal appearance are complied with.
“Article 60 of the Rome Statute provides, affords and allows any detained individual held in detention, to apply for interim release pending resolution of jurisdictional issues, pre-trial and trial proceedings, subject to review and supervision by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber in order to prevent undue or excessive detention,” the resolution reads.
The councilor maintained that Duterte, who is turning 80 years old, is “sickly and has difficulty in doing simple physical acts,” including walking and standing up from sitting and lying positions.
The physical health of Duterte, Zozobrado adds, can only be prevented if he takes his maintenance medicines on time and if he will be near his immediate family and relatives.
The resolution highlighted that the City of Davao declares its full cooperation to all security and administrative requirements concerning the interim release if granted, to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings of the ICC and maintain peace and order within the city.
The city pledged “absolute adherence” to ICC’s conditions that may be laid down by the Pre-Trial Chamber, in granting the interim release.
The request as reflected in the resolution includes confined movement of Duterte “strictly” within the territorial bounds of the city; unrestricted monitoring by authorized local, national, and/or international personnel; and periodic transparent reporting to the ICC or other duly designated authority.
The city government will also implement all necessary legal or administrative protocols to fully cooperate with ICC, including inspections, submission of regular progress reports, and prompt adherence to any additional requirements that the Pre-Trial Chamber will establish.
The copies of the Resolution will be furnished to the Senate of the Philippines and the ICC, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, for their immediate and appropriate actions.
Councilor Conrado Baluran pushed for a vote of unanimity, which was duly seconded by the members of the City Council present during the session.
