MANILA, Philippines — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to engage with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to request house arrest—rather than full detention—for former President Rodrigo Duterte as he awaits trial.

Speaking to media personality Boy Abunda in a video posted July 13, 2025, Cayetano said that his proposal is not a call for Duterte’s release but for a humane form of custody consistent with both domestic constitutional protections and international human rights norms.

“In other words, Malacañang will talk to the ICC hoping to give an interim release to former President Duterte while he’s awaiting trial,” Cayetano said.

He proposed that house arrest could be carried out with strict limitations, possibly within the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, ensuring legal safeguards while preserving human dignity.

“Compassion defines who we are as Filipinos and it must remain at the core of how we pursue justice—even for those we disagree with,” Cayetano said.

The senator cited international and local precedents, noting that interim release is permitted under ICC rules. He pointed to a Congolese rebel accused of crimes against humanity who was granted similar treatment, as well as special custody arrangements for former Senator Leila de Lima and Senator Antonio Trillanes in the Philippines.

“One thing I deeply believe in is that the Filipinos are deeply compassionate people… Meaning, dapat compassionate ka kahit hindi ka nag-a-agree sa tao, kahit sa enemy mo,” he said.

Cayetano added that justice should not be driven by vengeance. “If we do everything ‘an eye for an eye,’ then the whole world goes blind… It has to stop somewhere. And that’s where human rights activism and all of these conventions, international, come into play.”

As debate over the ICC investigation continues to stir political divisions, Cayetano called for calm, consistency, and respect for due process.

“He’s still a former president, Kuya Boy. God forbid something happens to former President Duterte. If something happens inside, and our attitude as a nation is like that, if the ICC’s decision is like that, we can’t do anything,” he said.