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Can a head of state be held accountable not only for what he did, but also for what he said? In the end, it may not be a secret memo or a taped call that will bring down “the Punisher,” but the echo of his own voice.
The veterans of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution gathered on Feb. 25, hopeful despite the current political situation, as they are joined by the youth, their eyes wide open and ready to continue the fight to give true meaning to freedom and democracy.
By the time Butuyan concluded, there were not a few dry eyes in the gallery. He had articulated to a T the general public sentiment of the Duterte case in the ICC. We in the gallery were momentarily suspended in a state of disbelief.
Prosecutors played video clips and cited transcripts of Duterte’s speeches in which he issued his “kill, kill” orders, promised to shield police from prosecution and assured them they would not go to jail for actions taken in the drug war.
For fishermen in Zambales, the Philippines’ legal victory at the Arbitral Tribunal has not translated into greater access. “The 2016 ruling may have mattered at the top level, but we don’t feel it when we’re out at sea,” said Leonardo Cuaresma, who’s been fishing at Bajo de Masinloc for almost five decades and president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association.
In styling himself an international law expert, retired Justice Antonio Carpio has only managed to tie himself up in contradictions. His recent attempt to defend his ponencia in Magallona v Ermita (2011) only tightens the knot he now struggles to untangle. The landmark case had sought to declare Republic Act No. 9522 (2009) or the Archipelagic Baselines Law unconstitutional.
Update Feb. 20, 2026: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 allows Duterte to skip confirmation hearings next week.“The Chamber, while acknowledging the objections of the Prosecution and the CLRV, considers that, in the present circumstances of the case, it is appropriate to proceed with the hearing on the confirmation of charges in the absence of Mr Duterte.”
Request from a Duterte loyalist: “Hi Alvin! Is it possible for you to paraphrase the statement of Atty. Kaufman so ordinary people, like me, can understand it better? You may show him the simpler/paraphrased form before you post it for us. Thanks in advance! More power to you and to the Defence Team of FPRRD!”
Even though BBM is in possession of all the instruments of national power such as the coercive capability of the state, its massive intelligence apparatus, its extensive legal capabilities, its investigative and police powers, its ability to influence the other branches of government, among many others, without the accompanying strategic vision and political will, all these assets will be wasted. The result of which will see the pro-China camp increase its influence in the country until it ultimately recaptures state power.
The ICC document said the handlers reported to a combination of police and co-perpetrators, in particular, Dela Rosa, Danao and Sonny Buenaventura, a police officer and Duterte’s driver and bodyguard, and Go, who, in turn, reported to Duterte, whose approval was required for DDS members to conduct killings in Davao City.
