By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(March 15, 2025) – Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea on Saturday drew flak online for his manifestation before the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
During the pre-trial hearing on Friday, Medialdea claimed that Duterte’s arrest was merely a “political score-settling.” Duterte is being accused of crimes against humanity over his brutal war on drugs.
“Two troubled entities struck an unlikely alliance—an incumbent president (Bongbong Marcos Jr.) who wished to neutralize and choke the legacy of my client (Duterte) and his daughter (Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio) on the one hand and a troubled legal institution (ICC) subject to delegitimization and desperate for a prize catch and a legal show today on the other hand,” claimed Medialdea, who served as Duterte’s legal counsel.
The Marcoses and the Dutertes have been feuding following the abolition of the UniTeam. The ICC, meanwhile, is facing sanctions in the United States for issuing an arrest warrant for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
ALSO READ: Feud with Marcos did not factor in Duterte’s ICC arrest, claims Malacañang
Medialdea furthered that Duterte had “debilitating medical issues,” which made it impossible for him to attend the hearing physically. Duterte attended via video conference.
Medialdea also claimed that Duterte wasn’t informed of the details in the ICC’s arrest warrant, describing it as a “gross abuse of power.”
Presiding judge Iulia Motoc, however, refuted Medialdea’s arguments, saying the ICC Registry reported that Duterte was informed of his rights and his medical examinations showed he’s “fully mentally aware and fit.”
Motoc also said they denied two motions from Duterte’s camp but didn’t disclose further details.
“You (Medialdea) are aware of the fact that these two decisions were refused, and this is tied to the fact that this first initial appearance hearing does not need much preparation, as I have said to you on a number of occasions,” said Motoc.
Echoing Motoc, netizens criticized the “excuses” and “lies” of Duterte’s camp, while touting how the proceedings went.
Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday. Upon arrival, he underwent medical checkups as part of ICC’s “standard practice” before bringing him to their detention facility.
The pre-trial chamber set the confirmation of charges of Duterte on September 23.
(PM)
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