MANILA — Senators on Wednesday voted to adopt a resolution appealing to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former president Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest on humanitarian grounds.

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 144, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, calls on the ICC to designate a physician to examine Duterte’s condition. If medical findings show that regular detention could worsen his health, the measure recommends that he be allowed to serve detention at home.

“[S]uch house arrest, or a similar appropriate arrangement, will be subject to conditions restricting liberty to be imposed by the ICC, presenting no risk to the integrity of the ongoing trial,” the resolution read.

The measure was approved with 15 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and two abstentions out of 20 senators present. Those who voted “yes” included Zubiri, Cayetano, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Ronald Dela Rosa, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Sherwin Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Ping Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, and Mark Villar.

Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan voted against the resolution, while Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Raffy Tulfo abstained. Senators Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero were absent during the voting.

In explaining her vote, Hontiveros argued that if Duterte is sick, he should instead be brought to a hospital in The Hague with support from the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands.

“Mga kasama, ang mga atrocities ng tinatawag na war on drugs ay hindi mga guni-guni lamang. Sila ay mga winasak na buhay ng libo-libong mga mahihirap na Pilipino. Sila ay mga hiyaw ng mga nanay at tatay na ang mga anak kailanman ay hindi na umuwi. Sila ay mga walang markang libingan at ‘yung kultura ng impunity na hanggang ngayon nagmumulto sa ating lipunan,” Hontiveros said.

“Hanggang sa araw na ito, yang mga pamilya na mga biktima ay nagde-demand pa rin ng hustisya, katotohanan at accountability habang patuloy din silang natatakot para sa kanilang mga buhay. Samantalang dito po tayo, nagsusulong ng humanitarian considerations para sa indibidwal na mismong akusado ng mga krimen laban sa kanila at laban sa humanity,” she added.

Pangilinan also opposed the move, saying his role as Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chair compels him to support victims of the drug war.

“Libo-libo ang pinatay. Libo-libo pa ang nawalan ng ama, ng ina, ng anak—na ang hiling ay hustisya. Tama rin na humingi ng hustisya. Saan tayo papanig? Tama may basehan ang humanitarian konsiderasyon. Ngunit may basehan rin yung daing at dalamhati at yung masasaktan na libo-libo nating kababayan na pinatay. Saan tayo? Humanitarian consideration o sa mga daing na hinihiling ang hustisya?” Pangilinan asked.

Sotto explained his abstention as an effort to avoid further polarizing the country. “I am supportive of any efforts to bring comfort to FPRRD and to uplift his well-being during this crucial time. However, my choice or decision in conscience, in my conscience, might even help in further dividing the nation,” he said.

During deliberations, Marcoleta, a co-sponsor of the measure, stressed that compassion should not be absent in the pursuit of justice.

“Nais ko pong linawin na tayo ay hindi humihingi ng kalayaan mula sa proseso. Hindi rin po ito paghuhusga sa merito o katotohanan ng mga kaso laban kay dating Pangulong Duterte. Ang panawagan lamang natin ay para sa isang makataong konsiderasyon – that he be allowed to be placed under house arrest, given his age and frail medical condition,” Marcoleta said.