Sun Mar 09 17:10:00 UTC 2025: ## House Panel Defies ICC, Rejects Duterte Drug War Findings Request

**Manila, Philippines** – The House of Representatives’ Committee on Good Government (Quad Committee) has flatly refused to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding its investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign. This comes amidst reports of a potential ICC arrest warrant for Duterte, allegedly issued on March 8th, for crimes against humanity.

Committee Chairperson Ace Barbers reiterated on Sunday that the panel will not submit any findings to the ICC, citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. While acknowledging the ICC’s independent access to publicly available records of the committee’s hearings (posted on the House’s Facebook and YouTube pages), Barbers emphasized that no official transcripts will be provided.

“We have no participation in the ICC and will not cooperate with it,” Barbers stated. “If they want to use [the publicly available records], that is up to them.”

The ICC’s investigation, temporarily suspended while the Quad Committee conducted its own parallel probe, focuses on alleged extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s drug war. Despite recommending criminal charges against Duterte and allies Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa in December, the House committee maintains its stance of non-cooperation.

Duterte himself has previously challenged the ICC, claiming he would accept any prison sentence if found guilty and even offering to personally investigate himself. However, the ICC maintains its jurisdiction over crimes committed before the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

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