The Supreme Court of the Philippines has made a BIG decision! 
On Thursday, the court told top government officials that they need to explain why former President Rodrigo Duterte is in jail. But why was he arrested in the first place? Let’s break it down!
Why Was Duterte Arrested?
Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested because of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is a global court that investigates serious crimes like crimes against humanity. Duterte is facing charges because of his controversial war on drugs during his presidency.
Now, Duterte is being held in a detention center in the Netherlands while legal battles continue. But not everyone agrees with this arrest. His family and supporters say that the ICC shouldn’t have the power to arrest him because the Philippines left the ICC in 2019.
Duterte’s Family Fights Back
Duterte’s children are not staying quiet about this. His son, Representative Paolo Duterte, along with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Veronica Duterte, have all filed petitions in court. They are asking the Supreme Court to:
Declare Duterte’s arrest illegal Stop the Philippine government from working with the ICC Release Duterte from detention
Paolo Duterte officially filed his petition on March 12 at 4:26 PM, asking for legal action to block the arrest.
What Did the Supreme Court Do?
After hearing the petitions, the Supreme Court acted fast! 
They told top government officials, including:
- Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin
- Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla Jr.
- PNP Chief Major General Rommel Marbil
…that they must respond within 24 hours to explain why Duterte is being detained and why he should not be released.
This 24-hour deadline shows that the case is VERY urgent and could have a big impact on the Philippines’ relationship with the ICC.
Why is This Such a Big Deal?
This case isn’t just about one person—it’s about the entire country’s legal system and international agreements. Some people believe the Philippines must follow ICC rules, while others say that since the country left the ICC in 2019, its decisions don’t apply anymore.
No matter what happens next, this case is shaping up to be one of the most important legal battles in Philippine history! 
