Senator Robin Padilla has filed a resolution calling for the immediate repatriation of former President Rodrigo Duterte from The Hague, where he is currently detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
The resolution, filed on Monday afternoon, was not accepted by the Senate’s Bills and Index Section due to the adjournment sine die of the 19th Congress on June 11. According to Rule 44 of the Senate Rules, all pending measures automatically lapse at the end of a congressional session. Despite this, Padilla’s office announced that he intends to refile the resolution once the 20th Congress convenes on June 30.
In his resolution, Padilla argued that Duterte’s repatriation would serve as a key step toward national reconciliation and unity. He cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier statement, expressing openness to making peace with the Duterte family, which signaled a broader political climate of healing.
“The Senate affirms that the immediate repatriation of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Philippines is a vital step toward fostering reconciliation and national unity,” Padilla stated. He emphasized that Philippine authorities should retain the sovereign right to investigate and prosecute their citizens under local laws and within the bounds of the Philippine Constitution.
Padilla also pointed to the recent case of former Congressman Arnulfo Teves Jr., who was deported from Timor-Leste in May 2025, as proof that repatriation through diplomatic channels is feasible. Despite the rejection of the Philippines’ extradition request by Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeal, coordinated efforts by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) facilitated Teves’ return.
He added that if a full repatriation beyond ICC jurisdiction proves unattainable, the government should at least seek Duterte’s interim release to the Philippines under mutually acceptable conditions. These could include safeguards for witness protection and restrictions ensuring Duterte remains available for legal proceedings.
Padilla’s move is expected to stir significant political debate, especially among human rights advocates and international legal observers closely monitoring the Philippines’ cooperation with the ICC. As of now, the resolution awaits formal refiling in the next Congress session.