Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Friday, March 14, 2025.

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READ: Drug war probe continues – ICC

FOLLOWING the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that its investigation into the situation in the Philippines will continue. In a video posted on YouTube, ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan emphasized that Duterte's arrest on charges of crimes against humanity for the thousands of deaths during his bloody war on drugs shows that international law can be effective. He said the arrest is meaningful for victims, as it demonstrates that accountability is possible when nations work together. In a statement, the ICC said the arrest was an important development in its "pursuit of accountability" in the situation in the Philippines for alleged crimes committed during the so-called war on drugs.

READ: SC has no jurisdiction over ICC – Carpio

A RETIRED associate justice of the Supreme Court said the tribunal has no jurisdiction over the International Criminal Court (ICC) and that petitions before it from the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte were futile. In a television interview on Wednesday, retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio said the petition to obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop Duterte's arrest was moot and academic because Duterte was already at The Hague, where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity for the thousands of deaths in his bloody war on drugs. Carpio said the ruling was correct, because the TRO is a special case, and they need a clear legal right, which the Duterte camp did not have. He also said two other petitions that seek to bring home Duterte were also futile.

READ: Former president booked at the 'Hague Hilton'

FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte will be detained at the International Criminal Court's (ICC) facility in Scheveningen, The Hague, as he awaits trial for crimes against humanity linked to his bloody war on drugs — unless granted hospital arrest due to medical necessity or interim release. Duterte's detention marks a historic moment, making him the highest-profile Filipino leader to be prosecuted on the international stage. His confinement in a facility adhering to international human rights standards stands in stark contrast to the dire conditions of Philippine prisons, which are notorious for overcrowding, violence and inadequate resources. Located within the Scheveningen complex of The Hague Penitentiary Institution, the ICC detention center is a high-security unit often referred to as the "Hague Hilton" due to its emphasis on humane treatment and detainee dignity.

READ: Duterte's lawyers unqualified for ICC trial

FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte, now in the custody of the Netherlands following his arrest for alleged crimes against humanity, faces strict legal requirements as he prepares for proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel at the ICC, said while Duterte has the right to choose his own legal counsel, only ICC-accredited lawyers can represent him in court. This requirement significantly limits Duterte's legal defense options, as only five Filipino lawyers are currently accredited by the ICC. Among them is former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who has been vocal about his support for the former president. However, other well-known figures in Duterte's legal circle, such as former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea and former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, are not among the ICC-accredited lawyers. This means that while they can provide legal advice, they cannot argue on Duterte's behalf in court. The restriction on legal representation poses a challenge for Duterte, who has long relied on his inner circle of legal advisers. His preference for being represented by Filipino lawyers narrows his choices further. While he can hire any lawyer for consultation, only those accredited by the ICC can stand before the court on his behalf.

BUSINESS: PH offers incentives for foreign filmmakers

Headlining business, foreign filmmakers have been offered incentives in a bid to make the Philippines an international movie-making destination. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday said that Trade Secretary Cristina Roque unveiled the perks last week at an event in Los Angeles, California that was attended by Hollywood executives and actors. The Expanding the Bridge initiatives includes incentives such as 25-percent rebates and grants for co-productions. Specifically, the Film Location Incentive Program offers rebates for eligible film and television productions shot in the Philippines while the International Co-Production Fund will provide 10 million pesos, or approximately $175,000 based on current exchange rates, for collaborations between foreign and Filipino filmmakers.

SPORTS: Who wants it more?

Over to sports, Barangay Ginebra and TNT start their quest for the championship when they clash in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup best-of-seven title series on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. The Gin Kings reached the finals after vanquishing top seed NorthPort Batang Pier, 4-1, in the semifinal series. TNT also secured the same 4-1 result against Rain or Shine, but not after losing veteran point guard Jayson Castro to a season-ending knee injury.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists. Tiglao accuses President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for condemning his predecessor to a "biased" court, while Tatad asks if former president Rodrigo Duterte's "abduction" a self-destabilizing act.

Today's editorial talks about a so-called "global weirding" causing bizarre weather conditions around the world. Read more on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

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