Senate detains Lacanilao for evasive ICC responses

Ambassador Markus Lacanilao was detained at the Senate on Monday after failing to adequately explain his evasive responses during a previous hearing regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte's transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Following an April 10th contempt citation for providing misleading answers, including denying knowledge of whether Duterte was brought before a competent national judicial authority, Senate President Francis Escudero ordered Lacanilao's detention.

Lacanilao will be held under Senate custody for no more than two days after turning himself in on Monday afternoon, April 21.

The Senate sent Lacanilao a show-cause order on April 11, asking him to explain why his answers were evasive and did not address the issue of Duterte's appearance before a national judicial authority as required by Article 59 of the Rome Statute.

Senate Sergeant at Arms Roberto Ancan confirmed Lacanilao’s detention through a memorandum sent to Secretary Renato Bantug, while the Senate expects the ambassador to appear in future hearings and provide truthful answers.