Senator Chiz Escudero expressed concern on Thursday (May 9) that an announcement made by the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding its preparation for a legal briefing for President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on “possible legal options” should the International Criminal Court (ICC) decide to arrest his predecessor, would exacerbate the tension between the Marcoses and the Dutertes.
“What I don’t understand is why a presscon had to be called to announce something that is in the normal course of things or as it should be,” Escudero said. “Providing legal briefings to the President is standard procedure.”
The DOJ has announced that it was preparing a comprehensive briefer to cover various scenarios related to ICC arrest warrants, including the possibility of rejoining the ICC.
However, tensions between the camps of President Marcos and former President Rodrigo Duterte remain high, and Escudero believes that unnecessary public announcements will only hurt the ongoing rift between the two camps.
“Surely, such actions are not helping cool down or mend tensions between the Dutertes and the Marcoses,” Escudero pointed out.
The Senator urged the Executive Branch to be more cautious in clarifying the rationale behind the press conference and ensure that decisions are made objectively sans political agenda.