The ICC, ICI and ICE of our lives

The happenings and news in this year 2025 in the Philippines have been dominated by three letters in the alphabet which are, C, E, and I. It is almost a daily fare in the main and social media, and it’s affecting the political and economic conditions of the country and the Filipino people. Aside from destroying existing political personalities and families, it will surely have consequential implications in the years to come on political institutions and businesses.

The “ICC” is the International Criminal Court where former president Duterte is now awaiting trial for the deadly drug war considered as a crime against humanity. It has been months since he was arrested and the trial will be as soon as all the judicial appeals on jurisdiction and fitness for trial are resolved. The verdict is uncertain, but even at this time it’s affecting the Philippines political situation as Duterte still has political following and influence, which could upend the PBBM administration regardless of conviction or acquittal. We can be sure that the PBBM and the Duterte camps are doing their best and calibrating their moves while awaiting the ICC decision, as can be gleaned from the social media battle ongoing.

The “ICI” is the Independent Commission on Infrastructure, the three-month old investigating body for the DPWH flood-control corruption scandal, has been front page in all main and social media. It has made some headway in recommending the indictment/prosecution and arrest of some of government officials and private respondents, freezing and confiscation of some ill-gotten assets, but the Filipino people are unsatisfied with the ICI powers and the pace of the prosecutions. The resignation of Singson, one of ICI’s credible members, has spurred public demand for more powers to the ICI. This also prodded PBBM to propose to Congress and the Senate to pass a law creating a more powerful ICI, the Anti-Dynasty law, Partylist Reform law, and the Citizens Access and Disclosure law. PBBM has to get these laws passed by February 2026, to prove his sincerity for political reforms and to save his administration.

The “ICE”, is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement department of the U.S., which is in charge of managing the alien detention centers, enforcing drug laws, identity theft, preventing sex crimes on children, and enforcing and removal operations of illegal aliens. Since Trump’s assumption as U.S. president last year, ICE has been very aggressive, sometimes violent in arresting, detaining, and deporting illegal/undocumented aliens. These arrests and deportations were done by masked ICE agents without ID’s, and some committed erroneous arrests of legitimate U.S. citizens. Some detentions and deportations were without due process, that there are now demonstrations against ICE agents by American citizens. There are already hundreds of undocumented Filipinos arrested, detained, and deported. Complaints from Filipinos detained in temporary cells with inadequate medical care and facilities have also been reported to the Philippine Embassy. These actions/activities of ICE agents have restricted the movements of Filipino emigrants, even if they are already green card holders or are waiting naturalization proceedings, and are diminishing their job opportunities. These will affect the Filipino OFW’s remittances to their relatives in the Philippines, and slow down/restrict legitimate migration to the U.S., which has been and is still a major component of the Philippines economy and economic growth.

The ICC, the ICI, and the ICE are definitely disrupting many Filipino lives, our lives, with its impact on politics, economics, and society in general. The prospect for a progressive, accountable, transparent government and public officials are at play and a possibility. Instead of the being the cause and effect of the problems of the Filipinos, ICC, ICI and ICE should be “icing” on the cake for the Philippines, if truth, justice, and God’s will will prevail.