MANILA — Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not currently considering rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), although the administration is not ruling out possible discussions on the matter in the future.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President’s position on the issue remains unchanged for now.

“Ang huli niyang sinabi ay hindi pa po magri-rejoin. So, kung kinakailangan po sigurong aralin sa mga susunod na araw ay hindi naman po sarado ang Pangulo diyan,” Castro said.

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under former President Rodrigo Duterte after the ICC launched a preliminary examination into the administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The issue resurfaced following renewed discussions on the possible implementation of an ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who previously served as chief of the Philippine National Police during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Castro said that while the Philippines is no longer an ICC member-state, the government continues to recognize Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

She noted that the law contains provisions related to surrender and extradition involving international tribunals.

“Ang lagi naman pong utos ng Pangulo sa lahat ng enforcement agencies… dapat lamang ay sumunod kung ano ang sinasabi ng batas,” Castro said.

Asked about the Senate’s declaration of protective custody over Dela Rosa and whether it could affect the enforcement of a possible arrest warrant, Castro said parliamentary privilege has limitations.

She added that the government also has obligations toward the alleged victims of extrajudicial killings aside from its responsibilities under domestic law.