No copy of Rome Statute? Duterte: Withdrawal from ICC an ‘empty gesture’

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday claimed that he did not have a copy of the document indicating the Philippines’ signing of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In his Talk to the Nation late Wednesday, Duterte reiterated that the Rome Statute was never published on the Official Gazette, the public journal and main publication of the Philippines.

“Wala akong kopya hanggang ngayon sa Rome Statute. Wala akong kopya. I do not know what I committed whether it’s a crime, a wrong or something. I don’t know,” the Chief Executive said.

According to him, his country’s withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 was an “empty gesture,” saying he’s never read the ICC treaty.

“I’ve never read that document. And so wala talaga akong alam kung ano ‘yang demonyo na ‘yan. Wala akong notice, wala lahat,” said Duterte.

“Now, you want me prosecuted for so… Ang winithdraw ko was nothing really. It was an empty gesture of me. Wala kasi there was nothing to withdraw in the first place.

“Ginawa ko lang ‘yun just to impress upon everybody that wala talagang batas, winithdraw ko. I was really withdrawing nothing because until it is established that there was publication, then it becomes a law,” he also said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)