Come and get me

Rodrigo Duterte entered the lion's den last Wednesday, ready for a mauling. From his initial reluctance to face the quad committee, he surely expected hostility at the House of Representatives.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

And yet Duterte faced the House for about 13 hours to deliver his defiant message, which came clear despite many contradictions and the impressive efforts of the quad comm to prevent him from "hijacking" the hearing: yes, I killed people; I did it for the country, and I would do it again. What are you going to do about it?

He dared the International Criminal Court: come and get me before I die.

How authorities respond to his challenge may determine if the kill culture that he promoted will be eliminated or will endure in our weak republic.

"If I am found guilty, I will go to prison and I will rot there for all time," the former president said.

Will he ever be found guilty of anything?

We have enough laws to prosecute Duterte and his minions for murder, torture, and even for crimes against humanity. The laws aren't just best-efforts pledges; authorities must show that these can be applied to the fullest extent, swiftly and efficiently.

Apart from prosecuting those responsible for mass killings, the country must address the roots of public support for such short cuts in law enforcement.

Lawmakers can work with the judiciary to compel full compliance with the constitutional mandate, laws and court rules for speedy trial and swift justice.

Judicial reforms must include changes in the system of appointment and promotion in the judiciary and the prosecution service.

Similar reforms are needed in the Philippine National Police so that cops don't become beholden to politicians, the religious mafia and other shameless influence peddlers.