MANILA, Philippines — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano defended his proposal to place former President Rodrigo Duterte under house or embassy arrest should the International Criminal Court (ICC) take him into custody, asserting that such an arrangement is legal and can be pursued through diplomatic channels.

“As a lawyer, as a senator, and as a former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, I know how these things are communicated, negotiated, lobbied sa iba’t ibang states,” Cayetano said in an interview with Boy Abunda posted online on July 15, 2025.

Cayetano clarified that Senate Resolution No. 17, which he filed on July 10, reflects only the “sense of the Senate” and is directed at the Philippine government—not the ICC.

“A resolution is not a law. So, resolution is the sense of the Senate… Ang ginamit ko lang Philippines, but ang natural na ibig sabihin diyan ay y’ung embassy,” he said.

He noted that while the ICC retains authority over Duterte’s custody, the Philippine government can propose arrangements like house arrest, subject to the court’s approval and the agreement of the host country, the Netherlands.

“Any modification, pwede rin… It’s within their rules. What I’m asking is for a diplomatic effort,” he said.

To support his case, Cayetano cited the example of Communist Party of the Philippines founder Joma Sison, who was granted asylum by the Dutch government and continued his political activities abroad.

“Remember, Joma Sison was granted by Netherlands asylum. He was able to publish, he was able to text. Kung pwede iyon sa kanya, itong kay President Duterte ay bakit mas restrictive?” he said.

Cayetano stressed that his proposal does not seek to exempt Duterte from accountability but to ensure humane treatment for the 80-year-old former president.

“I’m not asking that he will not be held accountable. I’m asking lang for dignity for a person who’s eighty years old, who is innocent until proven guilty, at may karamdaman,” he said.

He underscored that the resolution urges the Philippine government to act within legal parameters while advocating for a more compassionate custody arrangement.

“The Senate resolution is asking that maging clear y’ung sentiment ng Senate and the Philippine government move to find a way in accordance with the rules of ICC that President Duterte will not be that isolated inside their jail by means of any form of interim release, maybe a house arrest in the Netherlands or in the Philippine embassy,” he said.

“It recognizes the problem on both sides… That’s why nga the word ‘dignity’ is so important there,” he added.