TO PRESSURE SC TO RULE ON LEGALITY OF ARREST Duterte supporters gather signatures

Organizers of a global signature campaign urging the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of former President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and to facilitate his return to the Philippines from The Hague, Netherlands, are in Cebu to gather signatures from local supporters.

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Organizers of the “Tay Kami Naman” signature campaign are in Cebu to gather signatures from local supporters, urging the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. MITCHELLE L. PALAUBSANON

(MITCHELLE L. PALAUBSANON)

The initiative, dubbed "Tay Kami Naman," aims to generate public support urging the High Court to resolve pending cases questioning the Philippine government's cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Joie Cruz, one of the campaign organizers, said the effort seeks to end the legal uncertainty surrounding Duterte's arrest.

"Hindi po puwedeng manatili sa limbo ang sambayanang Pilipino kung legal ba o ilegal ang ginawa kay PRRD. We want the Supreme Court to decide," Cruz said during a press conference on Monday, January 19.

Cruz argued that Duterte was never presented before a competent judicial authority in the Philippines, which she said constitutes a violation of due process.

"Sa pamantayan ng hustisya sa Pilipinas, ang isang tao na na-deprive ng liberty ng tatlong araw ay maaaring managot sa serious illegal detention. Sa kaso ni PRRD, halos 10 buwan na," she said.

Cruz added that the “Tay Kami Naman” campaign reflects supporters’ belief that Duterte’s brand of public service deserves recognition and protection.

“This is an action of a Filipino protecting another Filipino,” Cruz said, adding that had an ordinary citizen been subjected to similar treatment, Duterte himself would have been the first to defend them.