President Rodrigo DuterteAlbay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Thursday said the Supreme Court decision on the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue will further fuel President Rodrigo Duterte's "obsession" to run for vice president. Lagman hailed the Supreme Court decision as "an added luster to judicial independence." Duterte has said his vice presidential bid will protect him from legal accountability because it gives him immunity from lawsuits. The Supreme Court had acknowledged that the Chief Executive, "as the primary architect of foreign policy, is subject to the Constitution and existing statute." "This decision will further fuel Duterte's obsession to run for vice president on the errant notion invoking feigned immunity," Lagman, a human rights lawyer, said.

Source: Manila Times July 22, 2021 16:30 UTC