A YouTube channel posted a video claiming that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be charged and detained by the International Criminal Court. This is false.
Uploaded on June 28, the video featured a Facebook live session of former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque discussing how the Philippines cooperated with the ICC on the March 11 arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity.
Its thumbnail bore text that read:
“NAKU NABALIKTAD NA ANG PANAHON MARCOS JR KAKASUHAN NG ICC (Oh my, time has turned upside down. Marcos Jr. to be charged by ICC)“
The 40-minute video carried the title:
“Hala Konferm!Nabaliktad na Bbym Ipapakulong na sa Icc,Digong lalaya na Salamat Sa Diyos,Roque (Oops, confirmed! It has been reversed. BBM to be detained at ICC, Digong to be released. Thank God, Roque). ”
No case has been filed or is being pursued against Marcos Jr. before the ICC, based on its official website. In the clip, Roque did not mention that the ICC is seeking to prosecute the president.
In a Facebook live on June 26, the former spokesperson said Marcos Jr. could eventually face impeachment over his administration’s alleged cooperation with the ICC in violation of the Constitution and national sovereignty.
“Kapag binigkas at nanggaling sa sariling bibig ni Marcos Jr. na nakikipagtulungan tayo sa ICC, ayan po ay basehan na para sa impeachment, culpable violation of the Constitution, kasi talagang napalaking dagok po ‘yan sa soberanya (When it comes from Marcos Jr.’s own mouth that we are cooperating with the ICC, that is basis for impeachment, culpable violation of the Constitution, because that is a big blow to our sovereignty),” the former spokesperson said.
Roque pointed out that although the president has not made any public statement supporting cooperation with the ICC, his failure to intervene in the actions of Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla makes him accountable.
“Kapag bumaliktad ang ihip ng hangin, pwedeng magamit ‘yan para mapatalsik ang presidente (when the wind changes direction, that can be used to oust the president),” he said.
The ICC has not issued a decision on Duterte’s petition for interim release. In a document uploaded on June 23, the prosecutors opposed the request and the former president remains detained at The Hague, Netherlands while awaiting the hearing on the confirmation of charges against him scheduled on Sept. 23, 2025.
The false video posted by the YouTube channel Viral PHNews (created June 28, 2022) has so far garnered 7,500 views and 465 likes.
