Senator Bong Go has called Senator Imee Marcos’ initiative to investigate the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) “too late.” In an interview on Wednesday, March 19, Go expressed doubts that Duterte could still be returned to the Philippines even if the Senate proceeds with the investigation led by Marcos.
“Karapatan naman niya ‘yan bilang chairperson ng (committee on) foreign relations. At ako bilang miyembro, sinasabi ko lang din po ang aking mga hinanakit na parang too late na po. Ayan ang tinatawag na ‘too late the hero’ na po,” Go remarked.
He further questioned whether any Senate hearings could change Duterte’s situation.
“Maibabalik pa po ba si Tatay Digong dito? Kung maibabalik po, kahit araw-araw tayo mag-hearing,” he said.
“But too late the hero na po. Tapos na. Maibabalik n’yo pa ba si Tatay Digong dito?” he reiterated.
The Senate hearing on Duterte’s arrest is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and was subsequently taken to the ICC headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. His arrest was based on a warrant issued by the ICC for alleged “crimes against humanity” related to his bloody war on drugs during his presidency.
Recently, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Boying Remulla expressed similar sentiments, stating that he believes Duterte’s return to the Philippines is highly unlikely now that the ICC hearings are already underway.
“The ICC proceedings are moving forward, and at this point, I doubt there is any possibility of bringing Duterte back to the country,” Remulla said in a previous statement.
The arrest of Duterte has ignited political tension and public debate in the Philippines, with some sectors supporting the ICC’s action while others decrying it as an infringement on the country’s sovereignty. As the Senate hearing looms, critics argue that the inquiry may only be symbolic, given the irreversible developments that have already taken place.
Go maintained that while Marcos has every right to initiate the investigation, it would likely yield no substantial changes in Duterte’s case.