MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robinhood Padilla on Wednesday called on the Supreme Court to act swiftly on pending petitions questioning the legality of the arrest and detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying that 238,000 people have signed a petition for the former leader’s return.
Padilla led the filing of a petition before the high court seeking Duterte’s return to the Philippines so he could face legal proceedings in local courts.
The senator said that the petition has gathered more than 238,000 signatures from supporters of the former president. The senator said the group expects more Filipinos to support their campaign in the coming weeks.
Duterte has been detained for a year in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC recently held confirmation of charges hearings but Duterte refused to attend the proceedings.
Padilla said Duterte should not be tried at the ICC.
“We do not recognize the ICC. Former president Rodrigo Duterte should not have been brought there,” he said. “It hurts us because we have a functioning court here.”