A Filipino lawyer accredited with the International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to initiate the process for the Philippines to rejoin the global tribunal. The appeal argues that the country's withdrawal in 2018 was contrary to both law and morality.
Formal Appeal to Malacañang
In a letter sent to Malacañang and addressed to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, lawyer Rameses Victorius Villagonzalo outlined his case for a return to the ICC's founding treaty, the Rome Statute. Villagonzalo, whose name appears on the ICC's official List of Counsel, stated that the decision to leave the court—formally notified on March 17, 2018, and effective one year later—was driven by bad faith and personal interests rather than the nation's welfare.
He emphasized that the Philippines' original accession to the Rome Statute on November 1, 2011, was a necessary step for the country. Villagonzalo described ICC membership as crucial for upholding accountability and justice on the international stage.
Call for Swift and Apolitical Action
The lawyer's appeal is clear and direct: the 2018 withdrawal must be reversed. He called on the Marcos administration to consider rejoining the Rome Statute at the "earliest possible time." Crucially, Villagonzalo stressed that this move should be undertaken without political considerations or discussions about any ongoing cases before the ICC, framing it purely as a matter of principle and national legal strategy.
Villagonzalo presented several key arguments for returning to the ICC fold:
- Deterring Tyranny: Membership would help prevent future Philippine leaders from becoming tyrannical.
- Strengthening Defense: It would bolster the country's legal defenses against crimes of aggression and war crimes.
- Enhancing Frameworks: ICC membership could complement existing Philippine legal and security structures, including the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.
Strategic Implications for West Philippine Sea
Villagonzalo also linked the issue to the nation's maritime security. He suggested that being part of the ICC could aid in protecting the Philippines' maritime and territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea. This region is where the country secured a favorable arbitral ruling in 2016 against China's expansive claims.
In his conclusion, the ICC-expressed hope that President Marcos would act favorably on what he described as a serious matter of national importance. The appeal places the decision squarely before the current administration, challenging it to correct a move deemed legally and morally flawed.
