The International Criminal Court (ICC) has the power to freeze former President Rodrigo Duterte’s assets, even while his trial is still ongoing. This means that any money, properties, or valuables linked to him could be put on hold to ensure there are funds available if victims of his war on drugs are awarded damages.
How Does This Work?
- The ICC starts tracking the suspect’s finances at the beginning of the trial.
- If an arrest warrant or court order is issued, the ICC can ask for Duterte’s assets to be identified, traced, and frozen.
- A special team in the ICC works with governments and global organizations to locate and secure these assets.
What’s the Challenge?
The ICC only has authority over countries that signed the Rome Statute. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, so cooperation from the Philippine government is necessary to freeze Duterte’s assets within the country. However, assets outside the Philippines could still be affected depending on the laws of other nations.
Will the Philippines Cooperate?
Presidential officials said that if the ICC requests an asset freeze, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) will handle the matter. They emphasized that justice must be served and victims should be compensated if required.
Duterte’s Camp Responds
Former presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo dismissed the issue, saying Duterte is “dirt poor” and has no assets to freeze. In 2017, Duterte declared a net worth of ₱28 million, according to his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
What Happens Next?
- If the ICC finds Duterte guilty, frozen assets may be used for victim compensation.
- The ICC also has a trust fund to help affected families, even if asset freezing does not happen.
- The Philippine government’s decision to comply or reject ICC’s request will be crucial in this case.
This issue could have big legal and political consequences in the Philippines and beyond.
