NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Senate Minority Drafts Resolution To Uphold PH Courts
Photo credit: Senate PH
The Senate minority is drafting a resolution emphasizing that Philippine courts must be respected as the first venue for legal cases, even when international bodies like the ICC are involved.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Cayetano warned that bypassing local courts could set a dangerous precedent. “Our Constitution is clear: if there’s a problem, it should first be handled in our courts. That’s the spirit of our laws,” he said.
This comes after Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go were tagged as co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case lodged against former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was taken by authorities and brought to the ICC in March 2025.
Cayetano said the issue goes beyond emotions or human rights concerns. “If foreign courts can just take jurisdiction, anyone—from Coast Guard personnel to AFP or PNP officers in operations—could be dragged abroad. Even cabinet members could be one step closer to exposure. That’s a serious threat to our sovereignty.”
He also warned about exaggerated media narratives: “If the war on drugs is portrayed abroad as just a cover, you can’t simply bypass our local courts. That’s the line we must protect.”
The resolution aims to affirm the role of Philippine courts as the primary venue for justice, especially when international legal actions are involved.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Cayetano warned that bypassing local courts could set a dangerous precedent. “Our Constitution is clear: if there’s a problem, it should first be handled in our courts. That’s the spirit of our laws,” he said.
This comes after Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go were tagged as co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case lodged against former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was taken by authorities and brought to the ICC in March 2025.
Cayetano said the issue goes beyond emotions or human rights concerns. “If foreign courts can just take jurisdiction, anyone—from Coast Guard personnel to AFP or PNP officers in operations—could be dragged abroad. Even cabinet members could be one step closer to exposure. That’s a serious threat to our sovereignty.”
He also warned about exaggerated media narratives: “If the war on drugs is portrayed abroad as just a cover, you can’t simply bypass our local courts. That’s the line we must protect.”
The resolution aims to affirm the role of Philippine courts as the primary venue for justice, especially when international legal actions are involved.
Feb 19, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
