SG declines to rep govt in Duterte kids' ICC case

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra has declined to represent government agencies before the Supreme Court regarding petitions filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte's children against his arrest and transfer to The Hague by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Guevarra stated that it is up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. whether he remains in office following his refusal to defend Philippine officials involved in Duterte's arrest, emphasizing that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is not only the government's counsel but also the tribune of the people.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Guevarra did not seek permission before recusing himself from representing the government in the consolidated lawsuit involving former President Duterte’s children, Sebastian, Paolo, and Veronica, regarding their father's arrest on March 11.

The respondents in the habeas corpus petition include Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Police Chief Rommel Marbil, and Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra among others.

Guevarra's recusal has fueled the Duterte camp’s assertion that the ICC arrest was illegal, with former President Duterte's children filing petitions asking the Supreme Court to declare government cooperation with the ICC unconstitutional and seek the return of their father.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) will now take over representing the government in the lawsuit questioning Mr. Duterte's arrest after Guevarra's recusal.