The former president is now more than a month detained at The Hague, Netherland after his arrest on March 12 by Interpol and Philippine National Police (PNP) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from a Hong Kong trip.
Filipino respondents also believe that fellow perpetrators of Duterte’s war on drugs during his presidency must also be held accountable and should be brought to trial at the ICC, the report continued.
Like other Filipinos who believe that “no one is above the law,” including a president, I too, is in favor for Duterte and co-respondents to face the music and allow themselves to be investigated.
Their appearance in the ICC, believed to be fair and impartial in conducting investigation and trial, will finally clear the air of doubts whether Duterte and co-respondents are guilty or not of the crimes.
Ang maipapayo ko lamang sa mga nag-iingay na pumapabor sa dating pangulo, manahimik na lamang at huwag nang makisawsaw sa isyu at kuwestiyunin ang kredibilidad ng ICC dahil it will never do good for the accused at makasama pa!
Hindi madadala nang paiyak-iyak o bayaran ang mga judge na humahawak ng kaso ni Duterte dahil hindi sila maiihantulad sa maraming korupt na counterparts nila dito sa Pilipinas. You know what I mean?
When I was an elected barangay official in my former residence in the city in the early years of martial law (Like Duterte to Marcos Jr. I also opposed the Marcos Sr.’s regime then) I personally faced an investigation of our Lupon Tagapayapa (Barangay court) for alleged unauthorized use of public funds.
After weeks of investigation and trial, my name was cleared by the Lupon after proving my innocence of the charges filed by pro Marcos Sr. officials.
But after being cleared by the Lupon, I tendered my voluntary resignation as elected barangay official before then Mayor Elias Bagobo Lopez and transferred residence in another barangay in Matina.
The reason for my resignation was because of delicadeza. I couldn’t stomach working anymore with people around me and identified tuta(s) of Marcos Sr. administration then.
Since then I have shied away from joining politics even if we knew that the government is an institution where many poor politicians become overnight very, very rich and powerful!
But if Pare Digong is cleared by the ICC, he can’t resign (as what I did) from politics because he’s again eyeing the city leadership even if he’s now a private individual while being charged in court.
And with his age at over 80, sickly, denied of his own freedom, can’t even take medication prescribed by Filipino doctors, detained and miles away from his country and loved ones, how can he survive living in that kind of situation while his case is being heard?
To quote VP Sara: “Malabo nang makauwi si Papa Sa Pilipinas!” I agree, but sad.
I am four years older than Pare Digong, marami nang sakit and also under medication. Our only difference – bagamat maraming nagmamahal sa kanya sa mundo, nakakulong naman siya sa ibang bansa. Habang ako ay malaya at malapit sa pamilya at kaibigan dito sa atin.
Ngunit malaya man at nasa sariling bansa, malungkot parin ako dahil sa edad at sakit na nararamdaman. Paano na lang si Pare Digong?
In addition to TIMES report:
“On holding Duterte accountable, 62% of Filipinos believe it is important that he personally stand trial in The Hague for the charges pressed against him.
“The survey has a margin of error of +2% at a 95% confidence level with the margin of error for the National Capital Region at+6%; +5% for North and Central Luzon, +5% for South Luzon, +5% for the Visayas, and +5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.”
Meanwhile, I am no longer voting in this coming May 12,2025 local and national elections and thereafter.
After more than six decades of participating-electing public officials in every elections, I finally realized that I already proven to our country my being a law-abiding citizen and as a voter. I will not go to polling places anymore.
At least, ang hindi ko pagboto ay makabawas sa ilang matitinong politiko na ibinoto ko noon na naging korupt nang nasa puesto na!
