No existing studies support the idea of ROTC programs as a “cure” for mental illness. Professionals in this field see this as a problematic claim that spreads disinformation, downplays the severity of mental health disorders, and “potentially promotes stigma” against people suffering from psychological issues.
A Philippine court cannot sentence him to hanging because the country already outlawed the death penalty on June 24, 2006 when then-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9346. This outlawed capital punishment in the country, which was previously allowed and carried out through lethal injection.
In pursuing its own investigation, the ICC is going after top state officials who may be responsible for crimes against humanity but are not being investigated by the Philippines. This is where the principle of complementarity is violated and the justification for the resumption of the ICC’s drug war probe.
Among the five considerations of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I were the pronouncements encouraging the killings under the drug war by former president Rodrigo Duterte and other officials and existence of drug watchlists.
It is part of the Philippines’ exercise of its sovereignty when it acceded to the Rome Statute in November 2011, hence binding the country to the treaty provisions from that date until its withdrawal on Mar. 16, 2019.
