By Clarist Mae Zablan
(March 18, 2025) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) now represents the respondent government officials in the habeas corpus petitions for former president Rodrigo Duterte after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) recused itself from commenting, Sec. Boying Remulla said on Tuesday.
Secretary Remulla told reporters his office has filed a comment on the Duterte camp’s consolidated habeas corpus petitions before the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday, on the same day that the OSG asked to be recused from filing a comment.
“We were given the authorization by the Executive Secretary [Lucas Bersamin] na kami na ang sumagot,” Secretary Remulla said.
He declined to give further details on their comment, saying that he will not speak on it because “it is in court right now.” He also said “res ipsa loquitur,” or “the thing speaks for itself.”
The Duterte camp had asked the SC for the former president’s release after he was arrested and surrendered to the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has been investigating killings linked to Duterte’s drug war policy.
In its manifestation and motion, the OSG said it may not be able to effectively represent the respondent agencies in the petitions because of its “firm position that the ICC is barred from exercising jurisdiction over the Philippines.”
Duterte’s former chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the OSG’s stance further bolsters the Duterte camp’s position.
For his part, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was previously Duterte’s justice secretary from 2018-2022, denied conflict of interest.
“The OSG represents the interest of the republic vis-à-vis the ICC and no other interest. Our recusal is not personal; it is institutional,” he said in a statement.
On whether the former president can still be returned to the Philippines, Secretary Remulla said “it is a done deal already.”
“Nandoon na siya. Saka sabi niya naman, haharapin niya ‘yung charges. I think that he has repeated that to all of us… Narinig natin na sinabi sa atin ni dating pangulong Duterte na haharapin niya ang kahit na anong paratang sa kaniya, kahit sa ICC,” he said.
(JREC | With reports from Camille Samonte, News5)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.