Malacañang Palace on Thursday, April 23, expressed respect for the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirming all charges of crimes against humanity against former President Rodrigo Duterte, following developments in the case that advance it toward trial proceedings.

In an official statement, the palace emphasized the importance of justice for all parties involved in the case, whether for the accused or for alleged victims of human rights abuses.

“We respect the ruling of the ICC that confirms all charges of crimes against humanity against the former President Duterte. Hustisya ang kailangan makuha sa mga kasong ito. Parehong partido ang makikinabang rito. Hustisya para sa akusado kung walang sala o hustisya rin sa mga biktima kung na abuse naman ang kanilang karapatan,” the Malacañang said.

The statement came after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed all charges against the former president, marking a key procedural step that allows the case to proceed to full trial after it reviewed evidence and submissions from both prosecution and defense.

The ICC is an independent judicial body that handles cases involving genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity when national jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to prosecute.

The case against Duterte is linked to alleged human rights violations during his administration’s anti-drug campaign, which has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny over reported extrajudicial killings.

Malacañang did not issue further comment on possible legal or diplomatic implications following the ICC’s latest ruling.