Duterte assets: Palace says no commitment if ICC issues freeze order

Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s initial appearance took place on Friday, 14 March 2025, at 14:00 hours (The Hague local time), before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”). ©ICC-CPI

MANILA, Philippines — The government has “no commitment” to comply with the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it issues a freeze order on the assets of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a Palace official said.

At a briefing on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that this is because the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the Philippines.

“When it comes to the alleged incoming freeze order to be issued by the ICC, there is no commitment on our part, on the part of the administration, if we will comply with any order issued by the ICC considering that the ICC as of the moment has no jurisdiction over the Philippines,” Castro said.

READ: Palace: No ongoing talks on freezing Duterte assets

This slightly contradicted her earlier statement that matters related to the possible freezing of Duterte’s assets would be handled by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

“If the ICC issues an order, we would bring it to the AMLC if necessary,” she said at a briefing last March 19.

For its part, the AMLC said if a freeze order request from the ICC does arise, it will be evaluated, and relevant government agencies will be consulted to determine the Philippines’ response.

“As we have yet to receive an official request from the ICC or from the relevant government agency responsible for addressing the matter, it would be premature to comment further,” it said in a message to reporters.

READ: Pivotal issue in Duterte’s ICC case

“We assure the public that the AMLC will continue to discharge its duties in accordance with the law and established procedures,” it added.

Asked whether Duterte’s benefits as former president would be stripped off if ever the ICC finds him guilty, Castro said it could be.

“If we are to discuss whether the ICC will make a decision, first and foremost, it is highly hypothetical. Even if it rules in favor, there will be no discussion regarding any forfeiture of benefits,” she said in Filipino.

“If the decision does not favor former President Duterte, a court order would still be necessary because, as we have stated, the ICC currently has no jurisdiction over the Philippines. So, it could be—we do not know when the case will conclude, and we do not know whether it will happen under the current administration or the next president,” she added.

Duterte is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, awaiting trial at the ICC for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his administration’s drug war.

According to official government data, his administration’s drug war claimed at least 6,000 lives.

However, human rights watchdogs estimate the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019.