MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is confident the International Criminal Court (ICC) will dismiss the complaint against President Duterte on the same basis of “lack of jurisdiction” as in the case of crime against humanity filed by former officials against Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two officials filed the complaint with the ICC in a bid to hold Xi accountable for environmental degredation in the South China Sea, including Beijing’s building of artificial islands. If the ICC would release a “contrary” interpretation, Panelo said it would be a violation of due process. “A contrary interpretation would be antithetical to the demands of due process, constitutionally protected under our Bill of Rights. Hence, the ICC never acquired jurisdiction over Philippines, the latter’s membership thereat being void initio.

Source: Philippine Star December 07, 2019 16:30 UTC