Palace criticizes ex-President Duterte for ICC arrest, defends law implementation

Malacañang responded to Davao City Mayor Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte's criticism of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., who allowed his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to be arrested by the International Criminal Court.

Atty. Claire Castro, Palace Press Officer, criticized former President Duterte for appointing a reported Chinese national to an executive position in government and stated that implementing the law should not be hindered by personal debts or political favors.

Marcos had previously thanked then-President Duterte for allowing Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in 2016, but Castro emphasized that Rodrigo's actions were based on legal obligations rather than gratitude.

Baste Duterte criticized the entire Marcos family and equated them with martial law and oppression following his father's arrest by the ICC on March 11.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested for alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration's war on drugs and is now in Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, while a reported Chinese national Michael Yang remains at large despite being linked to several criminal activities.