Vice President Sara Duterte endorses Senate reelection of Sen. Imee Marcos. Screen grab from political ad

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Imee Marcos said there has been a rumor going around that Vice President Sara Duterte is included among individuals to be served an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). And from being bottom list, she is now allegedly the next top target. 

This however, will not be allowed by the vice president’s good friend. 

“Let me make it clear, I will oppose that warrant with everything I have,” Marcos said Tuesday (April 29) when she delivered the findings of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

The elder Marcos echoed the vice president’s announcement that she is included in the ICC’s next targets. However, the younger Duterte said in her interview on Monday that the arrest is still not likely to happen soon since she is last on the list and many will go first before her until the new information obtained by the senator. 

“There are also allegations that first of all, several weeks ago – a draft was mooted involving a warrant of arrest of five police officers including Senator Ronald Bato de la Rosa, Marcos said. 

“Of late, there has been a rumor once again that the Vice President will in fact be issued by the ICC a warrant immediately. So, alam natin na si VP Sara ay nandun sa listahan. Pero alam ko na nasa ibaba siya, no, dun sa mga pinangalanan. Ngunit, ilang araw nakalipas, may mga report na siya na ang uunahin,” Marcos said. 

When asked where she got her information, Marcos said, “Uso naman ng chismis ngayon. Chismis rin po.” 

ICC warrant ‘scrap of paper’ 

Marcos called the ICC arrest a “mere scrap of paper” and echoed the administration’s claim that the international tribunal has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

“Any warrant of arrest by the ICC cannot be enforced in this country for lack of jurisdiction. It is nothing – that warrant from the ICC. But a mere scrap of paper. Walang bale yun,” Marcos said. 

Because it is just a rumor, Marcos said she has not received any info yet as to the possible date and time of the issuance of the said warrant. 

Marcos has released what she called “further findings” on the arrest of the former president where she recommended filing of cases against key government officials for supposed violations of the Constitution.  

Despite being sister of the president whom the Dutertes clashed with, the vice president told the people that her friend is different from her brother and that they are united under one vision.

After weeks of speculation, the vice president formally endorsed Marcos’ Senate reelection bid.

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