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DOJ ready to defend gov't over ICC arrest of Duterte

Philippine News Agency

By Benjamin Pulta
March 19, 2025, 8:52 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it is competent and prepared to represent the government before the Supreme Court in relation to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court.

Speaking to reporters at the Kapihan sa Maynila forum, Remulla said the DOJ has sufficient legal expertise to take over the defense following Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra's decision to recuse himself from the consolidated habeas corpus cases filed by Duterte's children.

"We have to put our best legal minds to work. The DOJ will be more than sufficient to defend the position of the Republic in this matter," he said.

Guevarra voluntarily recused himself from representing key government officials, citing his previous stand that the ICC lacks jurisdiction.

Guevarra's move prompted the DOJ to take the cudgels in filing a comment on the petitions filed by the Duterte camp questioning the arrest of the embattled former chief executive.

Remulla said Guevarra's decision to recuse was a personal one.

"He did not want to use the Office of the Solicitor General; that's his own reason. I think that the resources of the government should not be wasted in a time like this," he said.

Remulla said there was no need to dwell on the decision of Guevarra to inhibit.

"I will not argue with Mr. Guevarra. He has recused himself, so we will take up this time. We will just move on from there and defend the case in the Supreme Court if there have to be oral arguments," he said.

Remulla, however, declined to comment if Guevarra will be sanctioned following his decision.

"It's beyond my pay grade to make any judgment. We just have to be very professional about our jobs," he said.

Remulla said he has not spoken with Guevarra about his recusal and would no longer question the reasons behind it.

"We cannot stay in the past. We have to move on from here," he added. (PNA)