‘Address Duterte accountability during SONA’

MANILA, Philippines —  Civil society group Tindig Pilipinas yesterday asked President Marcos to address the issue on the accountability of former president Rodrigo Duterte, particularly the alleged human rights violations during his war on drugs, in his upcoming State of the Nation Address.

“We want him (Marcos) to address the accountability for the horrible corruption of the past regime, that is also coming out now. We want him to address accountability for thousands of deaths on the drug war and we want him to address the violence against women that was perpetuated by Duterte himself and his agents during that horrible six-year regime that really showed an abrogation of the gains of women’s movement for many decades,” Tindig Pilipinas convenor Sylvia Claudio said.

Former presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles also urged Marcos to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to implement the warrant of arrest against the former chief executive.

“The government should make sure that Duterte is made accountable. It does not mean that just because he is no longer in the government, he will no longer pay for his crimes,” Deles said.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV has said that the ICC is expected to issue arrest warrants against Duterte, the Vice President and other personalities in subsequent “batches” in connection with the war on drugs.

“We are obliged, having entered into that treaty, to implement the decision of the international court,” Deles added.

Teddy Lopez, another Tindig Pilipinas convenor, said that it would be an opportunity for Marcos to prove to Filipinos the unbiased process in upholding the truth.

“We have been advocating for truth telling. For us, once the warrant of arrest will be issued by the ICC, it will be the opportunity for the Filipino people to see the unbiased process where the truth prevails on the abuses of the last administration,” Lopez said.

He also called on Marcos to form a team to look into the controversial confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President.

“He should appoint an honest to goodness team that will really go after… where the funds were used. We have many civil servants who have the ability to ferret out the truth on the abuses that happened,” Lopez said.

The Commission on Audit has said Duterte spent P125 million of confidential funds in 2022 in just 11 days.

Akbayan Youth leader and Tindig Pilipinas convenor Khylla Meneses asked Marcos to declare a total ban of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) during his SONA.

“We call on President Marcos to totally ban POGOs in the Philippines and make accountable Duterte, (former presidential spokesperson) Harry Roque and (Bamban) Mayor Alice Guo. If we kick POGOs out now, we can also kick Duterte and China out in 2025 and 2028,” Meneses said.

Volt Bohol, another Tindig Pilipinas convenor, said Marcos should finally order a stop to any attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“We remain hopeful that Charter change, any attempts for Charter change, would finally be laid to rest. This has been an issue in the last several months so we are hoping that this administration will focus more on what are essentials. You know we have other issues like inflation and Charter change is not something that we should focus on. Hopefully, we will finally hear this from the President,” Bohol said.

Chloe Stacey Ong, Liberal Party Youth leader, said Marcos should make a hard stance on the West Philippine Sea and “insist on our rights on our islands.”