Not to be outdone, Dumagueteños and Negrenses have joined the battleground of opinions on social media regarding the recent developments surrounding the arrest of former President Duterte, and his trial before the International Criminal Court.
Social media platforms are awash with opinions, arguments, and accusations from both sides of the political spectrum. Supporters dismiss the ICC as a foreign intrusion, while critics see it as the final reckoning for Duterte.
Both extremes do little to foster a rational discussion, and more importantly, they do hardly anything to advance the rule of law.
In the face of such a serious legal matter, we must ask ourselves: does trial by social media serve justice, or does it merely feed division and misinformation?
At this stage, the ICC is the sole legal body with the authority to determine Duterte’s culpability or innocence regarding alleged human rights violations during his administration’s war on drugs.
The Philippines may have withdrawn from the ICC, but under international law, crimes committed while the country was still a member remain within the court’s jurisdiction.
This means that whether one supports or opposes Duterte, the proper recourse is to allow the ICC process to proceed without undue interference.
Unfortunately, social media has become a battleground where justice is preempted by personal biases.
The presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of any fair legal system, is often disregarded in favor of sensationalized narratives.
Justice is not a matter of popular opinion. It is a process that demands thorough investigation, presentation of evidence, and due process—principles that the ICC upholds.
If Duterte is innocent, he will have his chance to present his defense. If found guilty, the appropriate penalties will be imposed. Either way, only the court’s decision should carry legal weight.
The strength of any democratic society lies in its commitment to legal institutions, not in the loudest voices on the internet.
As the ICC proceeds with its investigation, let us place our faith in the wheels of justice to turn as they should—steadily, impartially, and free from the noise of social media.
In the end, history will judge Duterte, but for now, the ICC will do its job. And we, as a nation, must respect that process.
