Palace: No cause for investors’ alarm after Duterte arrest

FILE: Facade of the Malacañang Palace as seen from Pasig River. (Photo by Architect Jorge Ramos (d. 2015) for the underlying copyrighted work (Malacañang Palace). Image is by Official Gazette of the Philippines, originally uploaded on Commons by User:P-JR – Commons:File:Malacañang Palace (Cropped).jpg, Public Domain)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said there is no reason for investors to be concerned despite political tensions following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for alleged crimes against humanity.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said foreign investors value a country and leader that adheres to the rule of law.

“Hindi po naalarma ang administrasyon patungkol po sa investors dahil ang mga foreign investors po ay mas gusto po nila na ang bansa at ang mga lider ay sumusunod sa batas (The administration is not alarmed regarding investors because foreign investors prefer a country and leaders that follow the law),” Castro said.

Duterte is accused of involvement in the killings of drug suspects when he was Davao City mayor and when he was president.

He made his first ICC appearance via video link on March 14.

The court has scheduled a hearing on Sept. 23 to confirm the charges.

Castro dismissed concerns that the ICC case could deter foreign investors, arguing that they do not support leaders who protect individuals involved in serious crimes.

“Hindi po nagkakanlong ng mga tao na involved po lalong lalo na sa crimes against humanity, specifically murder. Hindi po ina-ayunan talaga ‘yan ng mga foreign investors (We do not shelter people involved, especially in crimes against humanity, specifically murder. Foreign investors do not approve of with that),” Castro said.