Key Cebu political figures express support for Duterte

Local

KEY political figures in Cebu have voiced support for former President Rodrigo Duterte following his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), questioning the legality of the move and its broader implications.

After gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro defended Duterte, other local politicians, some of whom have faced legal controversies themselves, echoed calls for due process and transparency.

Baricuatro, who leads the pro-Duterte group Hakbang ng Maisug Cebu, earlier expressed sympathy for Duterte’s supporters.

Her remarks were soon followed by statements from other Cebu politicians, including former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, who is seeking to reclaim his post after being dismissed from office in 2024.

Cortes, who was removed due to an Ombudsman ruling over grave misconduct, called for clarity on the legal basis of Duterte’s arrest.

"The legal issues surrounding the arrest need to be addressed. I think it is best that this be brought to court for a more objective appreciation of facts," Cortes said, adding that despite political differences, due process must be upheld.

Cortes was dismissed in October 2024 after the Ombudsman found him guilty of grave misconduct over the illegal operation of a cement batching plant in Mandaue City.

Earlier that year, he was also suspended for one year without pay for unlawfully designating Camilo Basaca as head of the city’s social welfare department.

Despite his dismissal, he filed his candidacy for the 2025

mayoral elections and obtained a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court against his disqualification.

Similarly, congressional candidate and former Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva raised concerns about the ICC’s jurisdiction over Duterte, pointing out that the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019.

"If the Marcos administration moves to implement this, it will undoubtedly trigger legal battles, with the Supreme Court possibly stepping in. More than that, we cannot ignore the political repercussions—will this decision ignite unrest among Duterte’s loyal supporters?" Oliva said.

Dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who is also running for re-election, delivered a strong reaction against Duterte’s arrest.

Rama, who was removed from office in October 2024 after the Office of the Ombudsman found him guilty of nepotism, called the arrest a grave attack on democracy.

"With the warrantless arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, democracy appears to be in jeopardy," Rama said.

"The whole process of the arrest today was not only a disgrace to the Filipino people but a betrayal of public trust," he added.

He compared the situation to the 1983 assassination of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. upon his return to the Philippines, calling the move a politically motivated attack.

Rama was permanently disqualified from holding public office after the Ombudsman ruled that he engaged in nepotism by hiring two of his brothers-in-law as city employees.

Earlier in May 2024, he was also suspended for six months for failing to release the salaries of four employees from the City Assessor’s Office.

He also suggested that Duterte’s arrest was meant to distract the public from pressing national concerns such as inflation, corruption, and rising government debt.

"If this can happen to a former president, where does it leave ordinary Filipinos? Are we now just expendable?" Rama said, urging supporters to light candles and recite the rosary for Duterte.

While Duterte’s allies have strongly condemned the ICC’s actions, progressive groups and human rights advocates have welcomed the development as a step toward justice.

Bayan Central Visayas leader Jaime Paglinawan described the arrest as a “first victory” in the pursuit of accountability.

"This happened because of years of struggle to seek justice for the thousands of victims of the so-called war on drugs," Paglinawan said, calling for further legal action against other officials allegedly involved in extrajudicial killings.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s support group had a candle lighting ceremony on Tuesday night at Plaza Independencia, which a motorcade followed thereafter.

The ICC’s case against Duterte stems from his administration’s anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths.

While government records place the number of deaths from police operations at over 6,200, human rights groups estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000.

The ICC has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member, leading to Duterte’s arrest upon his return from Hong Kong.(MyTVCebu)