Malaca±ang: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has decided to distance himself from the International Criminal Court's (ICC) pre-trial proceedings involving former president Rodrigo Duterte. Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the Philippine government's stance of non-interference, respecting the ICC's decision to honor Duterte's request to waive his right to attend the upcoming hearing.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated that the current administration respects Duterte's choice not to appear in the hearing, saying, "The President and this administration will not interfere in the said hearing. If the former president wishes not to appear before the public, that is his decision." She further noted, "And if the ICC has resolved to permit him not to be present in his own hearing, we will respect that."

Castro also addressed allegations of secret cooperation between the Marcos administration and the ICC, following claims by former Marines regarding cash deliveries to ICC personnel. She refuted these claims, asserting their baselessness and untruth. "Most likely, whatever their motive is, it is probably to discredit and strip the ICC of its credibility and integrity - but we are more concerned about the false accusations they are throwing at our President," she remarked.

Furthermore, Castro clarified that there have been no discussions about the Philippines rejoining the ICC. Despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in March 2019, the chamber maintains that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was a state party to the Rome Statute from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019.