MANILA—The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc on December 3, 2025, allowed the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to resume its role as counsel for former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in a petition challenging Duterte’s arrest and the Philippine government’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The decision came after the OSG filed a Manifestation with Entry of Appearance, requesting to again represent the respondents and asking for copies of all court issuances related to the case.

The petition was originally filed by Duterte and Dela Rosa and seeks to question the legal basis of Duterte’s arrest and the Philippines’ cooperation with the ICC.

Earlier in the proceedings, the OSG had asked to be excused from representing the respondents, and the SC granted that request in a resolution dated April 2, 2025. With the latest action, the OSG has formally re-entered the case as counsel.