Abby Binay: Give ICC a chance to tackle Duterte’s case, they’ll be fair

Mayor City Mayor Abby Binay

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Senatorial candidate and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay has urged supporters of arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte to give the International  Criminal Court (ICC) a chance to tackle the drug war issue and charges against him, noting that it will be impartial and fair.

Binay, in a press briefing here on Friday, before the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign rally said she understands that tensions are high due to Duterte’s arrest last Tuesday based on the ICC arrest order for alleged crimes against humanity.

Binay — a lawyer by profession — assured the public that the ICC cannot be influenced by whoever, because it is an independent body.

“And I think I believe that the ICC is the right venue (as it will) be impartial and fair.  Kung ano man po ang maging desisyon ng ICC, matagal pa ‘yan mangyayari bago magkaroon ng desisyon.  It is something that we expect to be fair, kasi hindi natin kayang impluwensiyahan ang ICC, hindi ‘yan kayang impluwensiyahan ng kahit sino man, mas lalo na dito sa Pilipinas,” she said.

(And I think I believe that the ICC is the right venue (as it will) be impartial and fair.  Whatever will be the decision of the ICC, the decision will take some time.   It is something that we expect to be fair, because we cannot influence the ICC, no one especially anyone from the Philippines can influence it.)

“Medyo mainit kasi ‘yong usapan, mainit ang ulo ng mga tao, pero sana bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ‘yong ICC na alam naman natin na magiging patas […] hindi naman natin sinasabi na guilty siya, kaya nga may proseso eh, kaya nga may trial, kaya bigyan natin siya ng pagkakataon,” she added.

(The discussions have been tense, people are irritable, but I hope we give the ICC a chance since we know it will be fair.  We are not saying that he (Duterte) is already guilty, that’s why there’s a process, we are giving him a chance to explain.)

According to Binay, she is not in the position to answer if Duterte’s arrest complied with legal standards, but she believes the people have to trust the ICC’s processes, as it will give the former president a chance to explain his side.  

Last Tuesday, after arriving from Hong Kong, Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 as local authorities assisted the International Criminal Police Organization in enforcing the ICC arrest order.

The ICC arrest order was issued due to alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s war on drugs.

After questioning the arrest, Duterte eventually boarded a chartered plane from Villamor Air Base, which left Manila for the Netherlands a few minutes after 11:00 p.m., Tuesday. 

The chartered plane landed in the Hague just minutes after Thursday midnight, Manila time.

Election issue 

Binay also admitted that Duterte’s arrest has an impact with the Alyansa’s campaign, as they are identified as administration candidates.

“Manhid naman siguro (kung sasabihin) na hindi kami apektado do’n sa mga nangyari recently.  Marami hong nagbabatikos, marami hong nagsasabi ah di ko iboboto dahil nasa Alyansa ka.  I think isa lang naman po lahat ang gusto natin, lahat tayo ang gusto natin hustisya,” she said.

(We would be numb if we think that we are not affected by recent events.  Many have been criticizing us, saying they would not vote for us because we’re part of the Alyansa.  I think we all want the same thing, we want justice.)

However, Binay also urged voters to go beyond alliances, and pick candidates based on their platform.

“But I’m hoping naman po, sa lahat ho ng mga botante, don’t pick whether we are pro-Marcos or we are pro-Duterte.  What do we stand for?  Kami, ano ba ang gusto, what do we bring to the table?  Ano ba ang tinatayuan namin?  Hindi ho pupwedeng ‘ah kasi naka-dikit ka dito, ayaw ko sa’yo,” Binay noted.

 (But I’m hoping that for all voters, don’t pick whether we are pro-Marcos or we are pro-Duterte.  What do we stand for?  What do we want to do, what do we bring to the table?  Where do we stand?  We cannot say that we pick candidates because we are allied with one group.)