Malacañang asks SG Guevarra to assess fitness after recusal from Duterte children's cases

Malacañang called for Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to assess his capability to continue serving as the government's top lawyer after he recused himself from defending the government in petitions filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s children.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro suggested that Guevarra should evaluate whether he is still fit for the position following the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filing a manifestation before the Supreme Court seeking recusal from defending against petitions filed by Veronica 'Kitty', Sebastian 'Baste', and Paolo 'Pulong' Duterte.

In response, Guevarra stated that it is up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. whether he will remain as the government's top lawyer, emphasizing that his office’s position remains consistent with its stance on the International Criminal Court (ICC) lack of jurisdiction over the Philippines.

The OSG cited their firm belief in the ICC's lack of jurisdiction over the Philippines as the reason for their inability to effectively represent the respondents in these cases.

Guevarra also clarified that he has no conflict of interest, stating that the OSG represents the republic’s interests vis-a-vis the ICC and not personal ones.

Castro maintained that Marcos does not believe that the ICC has jurisdiction but maintains the arrest and transfer were legal based on government commitments to Interpol and Republic Act 9851.