Cayetano: ‘Justice, not vengeance’ as Senate adopts resolution on ICC

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday explained his vote in favor of Senate Resolution No. 144, which expressed the sense of the Senate in requesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian considerations.

The resolution, adopted on October 1, passed with 15 senators voting yes, three voting no, and two abstaining. Cayetano, one of the original authors of a similar measure filed earlier, said his support was rooted in the principles of justice and humanitarian treatment.

“Iba ang vengeance sa justice. Ang vengeance is an emotional impulse of someone who is a victim of injustice. In Tagalog, gusto niyang gantihan. Ang justice, hustisya, ay well-defined sa international community and I know that as a former Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” Cayetano said.

He stressed that the measure is not about reopening debates on the drug war but about ensuring fairness for all parties concerned, consistent with human rights conventions signed by the Philippines.

According to Cayetano, humanitarian treatment and due process are central to justice, which must remain impartial.

“Ang hustisya po ay bulag. Nakatakip po yung mata para nga walang makita [at maging patas,]” he said.

Cayetano also clarified that while debates on the drug war may continue, the resolution focuses on respecting justice and upholding international standards.

“I vote yes Mr. President and I thank our colleagues for putting this on the floor,” he said.

/PR