Lawmaker Refutes Duterte Arrest Collusion Claims
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker firmly denied allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. orchestrated the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, emphasizing that the case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) is supported by substantial evidence and reports from human rights organizations.
Representative Jefferson Khonghun of Zambales’ 1st District criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for suggesting a collusion between the ICC and President Marcos to silence the Duterte camp. Khonghun insisted there was no conspiracy, interference, or directive from Marcos regarding Duterte’s arrest.
“There’s no collusion. No interference. And certainly no script that he ordered the former president’s arrest,” Khonghun stated.
He challenged detractors by asking if the thousands of killings and the grief of mothers were mere rumors or gossip. “Are the reports from international and local human rights groups mere hearsay? You call this gossip—we call it justice. If there’s truly no wrongdoing, then face the charges. Stop with the drama and mudslinging,” he added.
President Marcos Leads with Respect for Law
Khonghun highlighted that Marcos does not micromanage every government action and that arrests under his administration are not arbitrary. “President Bongbong Marcos is not hiding behind kindness. He leads with calm, principle, and respect for the rule of law. He is not like those leaders who need to shout, intimidate, and lie just to get attention,” he said.
He emphasized, “Not every move of the government is controlled by the President. We are no longer under a regime where one man can order arrests left and right. President Marcos governs with restraint and humility, not with a vendetta.”
Background on Duterte’s ICC Detainment
On March 11, after arriving from Hong Kong, former President Duterte was prevented from leaving Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Authorities were aiding the International Criminal Police Organization in implementing the ICC’s arrest order.
Drug war victims and human rights advocates have accused Duterte of crimes against humanity tied to his controversial anti-drug campaign.
Vice President Duterte’s Allegations of Collusion
Vice President Sara Duterte claimed over the weekend that her father’s arrest and detention at The Hague, where the ICC is based, stemmed from his role as a “staunch critic” of the Marcos administration.
In an ambush interview outside a Free Duterte Now rally in The Hague, she alleged that the ICC was being manipulated by the government to block Duterte’s return and silence opposition voices.
“The whole world should see the collusion between the ICC and the administration of President Marcos,” she said in Filipino. “The ICC is letting itself be used by the Marcos administration, while Marcos uses the ICC to separate, jail, or have [the former president] disappear from our country.”
She added, “If you remember, before he was brought here at the Hague, former President Duterte was the foremost staunch critic of the Marcos administration, and for them, they do not want to have an opposition, or those who are against them.”
Lawmakers Vow to Defend Truth Against Attacks
Khonghun responded by saying Marcos may remain silent, but other lawmakers will not let the truth be distorted. “If this is how she plans to run a national campaign, by attacking the truth and weaponizing victimhood, then the Filipino people deserve to know what kind of leadership she truly offers,” he remarked.
He concluded, “We in the Young Guns will not remain silent while the truth is being disrespected. The President may be quiet, but we are not. Lies must be corrected.”
Political Rift Between Marcos and Duterte Deepens
Marcos and Vice President Duterte were initially allies, running together under the Uniteam ticket in the 2022 elections. However, their alliance began to unravel afterward.
In May 2023, Sara Duterte resigned from Lakas-CMD, the party led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a Marcos cousin. Political observers linked her resignation to the House’s decision to remove former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from her senior deputy speaker role. Duterte regards Arroyo as an ally and mentor.
Tensions grew when the House decided not to allocate confidential funds to Duterte’s offices in 2023. Following this, former President Duterte and his son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, publicly criticized Marcos and accused him of drug use.
In January 2024, Marcos hinted that Duterte’s outbursts may have been influenced by fentanyl, an opioid Duterte admitted using for shoulder pain.
Later in June 2024, Vice President Duterte resigned as education secretary. Subsequent congressional investigations revealed alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds in her office and the Department of Education.
Her statements about discussions concerning potential harm to Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez after her death led to multiple impeachment complaints. On February 5, 215 House members filed a fourth complaint, effectively impeaching her.
For more news and updates on President Marcos denies collusion, visit Filipinokami.com.
