De Lima Slams Malacañang on ICC Hesitation: “Justice is an Obligation, Not a Ball You Can Just Dribble Around”

**** by: Edjun Mariposque

****

June 11, 2026

4–5 minutes

**MANILA, Philippines** — House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima took a sharp aim at Malacañang, questioning the administration’s sincerity in upholding justice after the Palace stated that the Philippines has no immediate plans to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a strongly worded statement, the veteran lawmaker and staunch human rights advocate challenged the President’s hesitation, demanding to know what exactly is stopping the chief executive from initiating the country’s return to the international tribunal.

“This tests the administration’s sincerity in preventing impunity and upholding justice and accountability,” De Lima said. “Why is the government standing idle on this matter?”

A Warning Against Impunity
De Lima, who has spent years fighting state-sanctioned violence and political persecution, reminded the current administration of the dark lessons from the country’s recent history. She emphasized that staying out of the ICC only serves to shield those who abused their power.

In a mix of English and Filipino, De Lima highlighted the lingering influence of past officials who are allegedly being protected by current political allies:

State-Sponsored Violence: *“Nasaksihan na natin ang ng isang gobyerno na ginamit ang buong makinarya sa walang habas na pamamaslang – isang karumal-dumal na krimen na maituturing na crimes against humanity – at kung paano nito tinangkang iwasan ang pananagutan,” De Lima pointed out. (We have witnessed a government that used its entire machinery for ruthless killings—a heinous crime that can be considered crimes against humanity—and how it attempted to evade accountability.)

* **Ongoing Cover-Ups:**

She further warned that the enablers of the past regime remain active in government spaces. “Nandyan pa rin ang impluwensya ng mga kaalyado nila na pilit pa lingering pinagtatakpan at tinutulungan pang makatakas ang sangkot.”

(The influence of their allies is still there, persistently covering up and even helping those involved to escape.)

‘Stop Dribbling’ with Justice
The Philippines officially withdrew from the ICC in March 2019 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, amid a sweeping international probe into his controversial “War on Drugs.” Calls for the country to rejoin the Rome Statute have intensified under the current leadership, but Malacañang’s latest remarks indicate a reluctance to move forward.

For De Lima, delaying the decision is a disservice to the Filipino people and a sign of political foot-dragging.
“Kung seryoso ang administrasyong ito sa pagtataguyod ng hustisya at pananagutan, ang pagbalik sa ICC ay hindi opsyon na dinidribble lang nang dinidribble, kundi isang obligasyon na dapat gawin nang walang pinipiling panahon,” De Lima concluded.

(If this administration is serious about upholding justice and accountability, rejoining the ICC is not an option to be dribbled around constantly, but an obligation that must be fulfilled regardless of the timing.)

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