CenPEG Welcomes ICC Confirmation of Chargers vs. Rodrgo DuterteCalls for Respect for Rule of Law

The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) today issued a statement following the confirmation of charges by the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with alleged crimes linked to the government’s so-called “war on drugs.”

CenPEG emphasized that the ICC’s confirmation of charges is a procedural legal determination that there are sufficient grounds for the case to proceed to trial. It is not a conviction, but it signifies that serious allegations of grave human rights violations merit full judicial examination under international law.

“The confirmation of charges by the ICC is a reminder that no public official is above the law. Justice, whether pursued domestically or internationally, is essential to restoring public trust in institutions. This development should not be framed as a matter of politics, but as a test of our collective commitment to human rights, due process, and democratic accountability,” said CenPEG Chairperson Roland Simbulan.

For years, families of victims, human rights advocates, church groups, and civil society organizations have sought credible and impartial investigations into thousands of deaths attributed to anti-drug operations. CenPEG noted that international legal mechanisms such as the ICC are invoked when domestic accountability processes are perceived to be inadequate or ineffective.

CenPEG further stressed that this development serves as a profound challenge to all Philippine institutions of justice and accountability. It underscores the urgent need to strengthen our domestic legal systems so that they are effective, credible, and accessible — ensuring that accountability can be fully pursued within our own institutions, without the need to seek remedies outside the country.

CenPEG called on the Philippine government to:

 Respect the independence of judicial and quasi-judicial processes;

 Ensure protection for witnesses, victims’ families, and human rights defenders;

 Promote transparency and counter disinformation surrounding the case; and

 Strengthen domestic institutions to uphold the rule of law and prevent future abuses.

“As a democratic society, we must demonstrate that accountability is integral to governance,” Simbulan added. “Justice is not vengeance. It is a necessary foundation for national healing and the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”

CenPEG reiterates that upholding human rights and the rule of law remains essential to safeguarding the country’s democratic future.###

REFERENCE: Prof. Roland Simbulan, Chairperson, 09272493295.  For more information, please contact: Email: cenpeg.info@gmail.com | Phone: 09171141405 | Website: www.cenpeg.org