A year after former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was taken to the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pangdagat (PPP) Partylist Representative Harold Duterte issued an emotional statement recalling the moment and urging Filipinos to reflect on what it meant for the nation’s sovereignty and political direction.
“Exactly one year ago, a moment unfolded that many Filipinos will never forget,” the lawmaker said, referring to the arrest and transfer of the former president to face proceedings before the international tribunal.
Harold Duterte said the event carried a “deep contradiction,” noting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier declared that the Philippines would not cooperate with the ICC. Yet, according to him, the country’s own law enforcement and security institutions facilitated the transfer of a former Philippine leader to foreign jurisdiction.
For the congressman, the episode raised difficult questions about national sovereignty and the country’s ability to resolve its own legal matters.
“In the end, it seemed easier for the administration to surrender one Filipino leader than to stand firmly for the sovereignty of our institutions,” he said.
He added that the issue continues to resonate today as the government faces various controversies and political disputes. Among the matters he cited were questions surrounding public infrastructure projects, allegations involving large sums of money, and unresolved promises of accountability for powerful figures.
Harold Duterte also criticized what he described as prolonged political maneuvering in the country, including efforts to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, saying such conflicts risk distracting leaders from pressing concerns affecting ordinary Filipinos.
He pointed out that many Filipinos overseas remain in vulnerable situations, particularly those facing instability in the Middle East, and called on the government to focus on protecting their welfare.
Despite the political divisions surrounding the issue, the lawmaker said many supporters of the former president continue to hold on to a single hope.
“Through all of this, one hope remains in the hearts of many Filipinos,” he said. “That one day, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be able to return home to the country and the people he served.”
The statement came as supporters and critics alike marked the first anniversary of Duterte’s transfer to The Hague—an event that remains one of the most consequential and debated political developments in recent Philippine history.