Politicians critical of former president Rodrigo Duterte welcomed his arrest over a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, March 11.
The local leaders, especially those who were harassed by the Duterte administration during his six-year reign, said his detention was a long time coming.
His most loyal allies, however, continued to criticize the arrest.
Below are their reactions. We will update this story as more statements arrive.
Former senator and ML 1st nominee Leila de Lima
“This is deeply personal for me. For almost seven years, I was imprisoned on fabricated charges, accused of crimes I did not commit — all because I dared to speak out against Duterte’s drug war. While I was behind bars, thousands of Filipinos were killed without justice, their families left to grieve with no answers, no accountability.
“Today, Duterte is being made to answer — not to me, but to the victims, to their families, to a world that refuses to forget. This is not about vengeance. This is about justice finally taking its course.”
Senator Risa Hontiveros
“I hold on to what former president Duterte said, under oath, that he will face the case in the International Criminal Court. I hope, as a lawyer, he will follow its processes.
“I also hope that Malacanang will honor its word and accede to all requests of the ICC, through the Interpol, and ensure that justice will run its full course.”
ACT Teachers Representative France Castro
“The arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte marks a concrete step towards accountability and justice for the countless victims of his bloody regime. This should serve as a reminder that those responsible for human rights abuses must face the consequences of their actions.”
House quad committee co-chairperson Ace Barbers
“This is proof that in our country, in the Bagong Pilipinas, no one is above the law. The arrest of former president Duterte is a step toward justice for the families who lost loved ones due to EJKs.
“Instead of upholding justice, it opened the door to a culture of impunity within our law enforcers, who set aside the law and justice even for mere suspects, and enforced violence that led to the death of innocent citizens.”
House committee on women chairperson Geraldine Roman
“This is proof that the Philippines is a country that respects the rules-based order in the world and that we uphold the rule of law. Nobody is above the law.”
House Young Guns bloc members Pammy Zamora, Jay Khonghun, and Jil Bongalon
“This is a victory for justice and accountability. The ICC warrant is not just symbolic — it is a clear signal that no one is untouchable, not even a former president. Former President Duterte must face the consequences of his actions.”
Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña
“‘Hurry up, ICC,’ huh? You asked for it, now here it is. Take full responsibility for the thousands of deaths caused by your bloody and morally bankrupt war on drugs. There’s no escape for you anymore. Enough with the drama. Time’s up! The day of reckoning has come, and there’s no escape from justice.”
Akbayan 1st nominee Chel Diokno
“Justice demands that this warrant be enforced without delay. Duterte must be placed under the ICC’s jurisdiction immediately. The Philippine government must fully cooperate with the Interpol and the ICC, mobilizing all law enforcement agencies to bring him in. The government must act decisively and ensure that he has nowhere to hide. No more safe spaces for tyrants.
“For decades, Duterte thought himself untouchable — above the law, beyond accountability. But history catches up with even the most ruthless despots. His reign of terror must meet its inevitable end: his conviction.”
Former Bayan Muna congressman Neri Colmenares
“The arrest of former president Duterte is a welcome development and long overdue. Finally, he will be held accountable for the thousands of lives lost due to his bloody war on drugs and other human rights violations that occurred under his administration.
“For years, we have been calling for this moment — for Duterte to face the courts and answer for his crimes. This is not about political vendetta but about justice. The families of EJK victims have waited far too long for this day to come.”
Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel
“At least Digong had people fighting for him before being imprisoned. It’s far from the fate of the victims of his fake war on drugs and bloody war on dissent. He still gets due process, a due process he denied to the thousands of poor people and activists who were “shoot to kill” during his presidency.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada
“In this time of heightened emotions and division, I call on the Filipino people to remain calm and exercise sobriety as the legal proceedings unfold. We must refrain from engaging in any form of violence, spreading misinformation, or taking actions that may only further polarize our country.”
“Like any Filipino citizen, former president Duterte is entitled to legal recourse, and as a lawyer, he knows the proper steps to take. I trust that his rights will be respected and protected.”
Senator Bong Go
My plea to the government, my plea to our colleagues in the government, we loved you before, Tatay Digong loved you, he never failed you, I hope we can also love Tatay Digong. Just ensure his safety.
Senator Imee Marcos
“This won’t get us anywhere, it only brings chaos. Political squabbles don’t benefit the people who are suffering in the country. It seems like we’ve become stuck in this cycle. Has our life gotten better because of politicking? Has our country progressed? We haven’t learned.
“I feel so sorry, because he’s already old, right?”
Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo
“It’s an unlawful arrest. The PNP didn’t allow one of his lawyers to meet him at the airport and to question the legal basis of PRRD’s arrest. He was deprived of legal He was deprived of legal representation at the time of his arrest. The PNP could not have a hard copy of the warrant of arrest.”
– Rappler.com