De Lima, Robredo say Duterte ICC trial shows due process

Former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and former Vice President Leni Robredo commented that former President Rodrigo Duterte facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegations related to his "war on drugs" demonstrates due process.

De Lima highlighted that the ICC proceedings offer Duterte the rights of a suspect, contrasting this with the alleged lack of due process for victims of the anti-drug campaign.

Both de Lima and Robredo emphasized that the ICC's actions represent the justice sought for those killed without a chance to defend themselves.

The arrest of Duterte has ignited debates on due process, accountability, and the rule of law, with a central irony noted regarding victims of the drug war.

While Duterte's own due process rights are being discussed, particularly concerning his transfer to the ICC, legal experts are divided on whether he was entitled to certain procedural protections, especially given the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC.

Some legal scholars invoke the principle of 'male captus bene detentus' (wrongly captured, properly detained) to argue that any arrest irregularities do not diminish the ICC's jurisdiction.