Senate vote on Duterte house arrest shows his family's enduring influence

A PHILIPPINE SENATE resolution calling on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo R. Duterte under house arrest highlights the family’s enduring political influence, analysts said, even as the country is no longer a member of the tribunal.

- By Adrian H. Halili

Fifteen senators voted in favor of the measure, with three opposed and two abstaining. While the ICC has no obligation to act on the request, the vote underscored the former leader’s sway in Congress and the alignment of lawmakers with his daughter Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

"The resolution has no real effect on the ICC but is symbolic posturing that speaks volumes about the Duterte bloc's ability to rally allies," Arjan P. Aguirre, a political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

"This is meant to intimidate the Marcos-Romualdez camp, sending the message that the Senate won't cower to the President's wishes," he added.