SENATORS on Wednesday adopted a resolution formally appealing to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte under house arrest, citing humanitarian concerns regarding his advanced age and deteriorating health.
Senate Resolution No. 28 (also referred to as SRN 144 in public records) was passed with a commanding vote of 15 affirmative, 3 negative, and 2 abstentions during a plenary session on Oct. 1, 2025, urging the ICC to provide relief while Duterte faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
The resolution, jointly introduced by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, specifically requests the ICC to designate a qualified physician to assess the former president’s medical condition.
They said that a house arrest or similar arrangement can be considered if continued detention would compromise his health.
In sponsoring the measure, Zubiri stressed that the resolution aligned with the government’s long-standing tradition of assisting Filipinos facing legal challenges overseas.
Several senators spoke in support of the measure, framing it as an issue of compassion and national solidarity:
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who served as the PNP chief under the Duterte administration, urged his colleagues to set aside political differences and unite behind the resolution, describing the former president as his “second father.”
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go appealed to ensure that Duterte is not deprived of the chance to spend the remainder of his life in his homeland.
Senator Imee Marcos called for the resolution’s adoption by invoking “humanitarian compassion and judicial mercy.”
Senator Rodante Marcoleta echoed this sentiment, appealing for the swift adoption of the resolution to uphold compassion alongside justice, though he affirmed that legal proceedings must continue.
Not an Exoneration
While expressing full support for the house arrest appeal, Senator Jinggoy Estrada clarified that the resolution should be viewed strictly as a humanitarian measure and does not absolve Duterte of the allegations before the court.
He urged his colleagues to view the measure as a humanitarian appeal, aligned with the Senate’s tradition of aiding Filipinos in legal distress abroad.
The adoption of the Senate resolution comes as Duterte’s legal team has already been pursuing requests before the ICC, citing the former leader’s purported cognitive and health issues to argue for interim release or an indefinite adjournment of proceedings.
The Senate’s move represents a formal, non-binding political appeal from a coequal branch of government to the international body.
Photo courtesy of Senator Migz Zubiri Facebook page
