Dalipe: No order from Speaker to prioritize resolution favoring ICC probe on drug war

House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Speaker Martin Romualdez hasn’t given any instructions regarding the House resolution (HR) seeking government cooperation with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) planned probe on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs.

Thus, said Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep Mannix Dalipe in a statement Friday, Nov. 24.

“As chair of the Committee on Rules, I know for a fact that there is no instruction from the Office of the Speaker that requires us to give special attention to the House Resolution seeking our cooperation with the ICC,” said Dalipe, Romualdez’s right-hand man in the 300-plus strong chamber.

“This will be treated like all other House Resolutions, but we have to respect the autonomy of the legislative process and the necessity for adherence to established procedures,” the majority leader said.

The Mindanaoan was referring to HR No.1477, which was recently filed by Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Ramon Gutierrez.

The measure is titled, “Resolution urging the appropriate Philippine government departments and agencies to extend their full cooperation to the office of the prosecutor of the [ICC] with respect to the investigation of any alleged crime within the jurisdiction of the ICC, including but not limited to the crime against humanity of murder, committee in the Philippines in the context of the so-called “war on drugs” campaign.”

On Wednesday, the House Committees on Human Rights and on Justice discussed for the first time HR No.1477 plus a similar measure filed earlier by the militant Makabayan bloc in HR No.1393.

The House action on the resolutions caught the attention of Vice President Sara Duterte, ex-president Duterte’s eldest daughter.

On Thursday, Vice President Duterte reminded the House of President Marcos’ opposition to the ICC probe, and basically told them to act accordingly.

“To allow ICC prosecutors to investigate alleged crimes that are now under the exclusive jurisdiction of our prosecutors and our courts is not only patently unconstitutional but effectively belittles and degrades our legal institutions,” she said.

Dalipe notes that while former president Duterte is held in high esteem by the House leadership, including Speaker Romualdez, the chamber will not suppress any member of Congress advocating for ICC support in investigating anti-drug campaign.

“The democratic principles that underpin the legislative process allow for the expression of diverse opinions. The House is composed of 310 independent minds and diverse cultural and political backgrounds, so it is important that we hear the sentiment of everyone,” he said.

Dalipe further mentioned that the House leadership acknowledges the diversity of opinions within the legislative body and encourages a respectful exchange of ideas.