Rodrigo Duterte and Menardo Guevarra —PHOTO FROM ICC and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FB PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra may need to reassess his suitability for his position after recusing himself from defending the government in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a Palace official said Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro remarked on the matter when asked if Guevarra’s recusal from the consolidated habeas corpus cases filed by Duterte’s children before the Supreme Court could lead to his replacement.
“Nothing has been discussed yet because this is very recent, it only came out last night. But it may be better if the Solicitor General himself assesses whether he is still fit to serve as the Solicitor Genera,” said Castro in a Palace press conference.
READ: OSG inhibits from defending Marcos govt’s position on Duterte arrest
Castro went on to question why Guevarra’s recusal is being seen as a win on the part of Duterte’s camp, as both the Solicitor General and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. share the same sentiment that the country is not part of the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Castro reiterated that the government merely complied with its commitments with the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol, which enforced the ICC-issued arrest warrant against Duterte.
She also clarified that Guevarra, in his manifestation to the SC, never explicitly stated that the country’s cooperation with Interpol was wrong.
“So if he is unable to defend the government officials who responded to Interpol, perhaps that is just his personal feeling,” said Castro.
‘OSG not just the government’s counsel’
Meanwhile, in a message to reporters, Guevarra in response reminded Castro that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is not just the government’s counsel, but also the “tribune of the people.”
“The OSG is not only the government’s counsel; it is also the tribune of the people. The president, in his wisdom, fully understands this,” said Gueverra when asked about Castro’s remarks through Viber.
READ: Gov’t may hire own lawyer in defending Duterte ICC arrest – Palace
Asked if this means he will remain as head of the OSG, Guevarra responded: “only the President can say that.”
This development came after Guevarra, who also served as Duterte’s justice secretary, submitted a manifestation before the High Court recusing himself from the habeas corpus cases for the former president.
In his manifestation, he reiterated his stance that the ICC is prohibited from exercising jurisdiction over the country.
The ICC currently has custody of Duterte after he was arrested and sent to The Hague for crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against drugs which left at least 6,000 people dead, and human rights groups reporting at least 20,000 killed.