section_path: Reactions/Philippine government officials
section_name: Philippine government officials
paragraph_text: Philippine government officials
  
  During a press conference held minutes after Duterte's plane departed for the Netherlands, President Bongbong Marcos denied allegations that Duterte's arrest was "political persecution", stating that the case had been initiated in 2017 while Duterte was president. In a later interview, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla recalled that President Marcos was calm but "melancholic" about Duterte's arrest, with Marcos privately telling him, "Nobody should be happy. There is no reason to celebrate."
  
  Duterte's arrest drew mixed reactions from majority bloc members of the Senate. Senate President Francis Escudero urged due process from the ICC and called for restraint, warning against using Duterte's arrest for political gain ahead of the 2025 election. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada emphasized national unity, urging Filipinos to remain calm and avoid misinformation or violence. He noted that Duterte, as a lawyer, knows the legal steps to take. Senator Imee Marcos, the incumbent president's sister, criticized the political divisions, saying Duterte's arrest only creates "chaos" and questioning whether it benefits ordinary Filipinos. She also expressed sympathy, noting his age. Senator Marcos, who is seeking re-election, skipped an Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign rally in Tacloban in protest of Duterte's arrest. On March 17, she directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which she chairs, to conduct an investigation into Duterte's arrest "to establish whether due process was followed". The committee invited police, airport, and Department of Foreign Affairs officials to the investigation, which began on March 20. At least three hearings were made.
  
  Members of the House of Representatives ' majority bloc, including party-list lawmakers, welcomed Duterte's arrest. Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. stated that the ICC's action was based on evidence rather than politics, adding that Duterte could not evade justice indefinitely. House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega described Duterte's arrest as a "significant step" toward delivering long-awaited justice to the victims of extrajudicial killings, urging Duterte to face his criminal charges instead of portraying himself as a victim. Ortega, along with Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro and Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, suggested that the Philippines reconsider rejoining the ICC. Luistro argued that the ICC serves as a "court of last resort" if the Supreme Court cannot efficiently and effectively handle controversial issues and cases. Roman believed that the Marcos administration's commitment to upholding the rule of law means there is no reason to fear rejoining the ICC.
  
  House Assistant Majority Leaders Jude Acidre of Tingog Party List and Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur's 1st District also welcomed Duterte's arrest. Acidre responded to critics by asserting that Duterte's arrest under an ICC warrant does not compromise national sovereignty but rather seeks justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings. Adiong noted the irony that Duterte, who had previously mocked human rights and legal proceedings, is now receiving full legal protections under international justice mechanisms.
  
  Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Ace Barbers, who chairs the Quad Committee, described Duterte's arrest as a "pivotal" step toward justice and a turning point for the aggressive tactics employed by police in the Duterte administration's war against drugs. Barbers revealed that the Quad Committee's investigation uncovered allegations that police officers were financially incentivized to kill drug suspects, encouraging them to maximize such actions.
  
  Taguig 2nd District Representative Pammy Zamora, Zambales 1st District Representative Jay Khonghun, and Ako Bicol Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon declared Duterte's arrest a "victory for justice and accountability", emphasizing that the ICC warrant demonstrates that no one is above the law.
  
  The Philippine Commission on Human Rights stated that it was willing to cooperate with the ICC. It also said that persons who participated or were complicit in the human rights violations must be held accountable.