Padilla seeks Duterte repatriation, but Senate rejects his resolution

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla has filed a resolution seeking the immediate repatriation of former President Rodrigo Duterte from The Hague, where he is detained over alleged crimes against humanity.

However, his unnumbered resolution, filed on Monday afternoon, was not accepted by the Senate's Bills and Index Section, as the 19th Congress had already adjourned sine die on June 11, according to a press release from his office on Tuesday.

His office cited Rule 44 of the Senate Rules, which states that “all pending matters and proceedings shall terminate upon the expiration of one Congress.”

Padilla, nevertheless, expressed his intention to refile the resolution in the 20th Congress, which convenes on June 30.

According to Padilla, the immediate repatriation of Duterte would foster reconciliation and national unity, refocusing government efforts on addressing pressing needs.

He cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s previous statement that he was willing to make peace with the Dutertes.

READ: Marcos says he’s willing to reconcile with Dutertes

“The Senate affirms that the immediate repatriation of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Philippines is a vital step toward fostering reconciliation and national unity, and that his investigation and prosecution by Philippine authorities will uphold national sovereignty and the Philippines’ exclusive right to hold its citizens accountable under its Constitution and legal system,” Padilla said in the resolution.

“Such repatriation is possible, as evidenced by the Philippine government’s successful diplomatic efforts that secured the return of former Congressman Arnulfo Teves Jr. from Timor-Leste in May 2025, despite the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal’s rejection of the Philippines’ extradition request,” he added.

This, he said, demonstrated the government’s “capacity to repatriate Filipino nationals through diplomacy, as evidenced by coordinated actions by the DOJ (Department of Justice), Department of Foreign Affairs, and National Bureau of Investigation.”

After being tagged in the 2023 killings of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, Teves went into hiding overseas for two years. He was deported to the Philippines last month.

READ: Marcos says he’s willing to reconcile with Dutertes

“Should a full repatriation free from ICC (International Criminal Court) jurisdiction prove impracticable, the Philippine government should, at minimum, and on ad cautelam basis and without accepting ICC’s jurisdiction, secure former President Duterte’s interim release to the Philippines under conditions acceptable to the ICC, including measures to ensure the protection and safety of witnesses, enabling him to spend his remaining years in his homeland with family and loved ones while awaiting trial,” Padilla’s resolution said.

The ICC is investigating the case against Duterte in connection with his administration’s war on illegal drugs.

Duterte was sent directly to the ICC in The Hague upon his arrival in the Philippines from Hong Kong last March 11. He is currently detained at the ICC awaiting trial./mcm

(2025/06/24-08:29)