SC orders Duterte camp to comment on gov’t response to petition for dad’s return

The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the Duterte siblings to comment on the government’s response to their habeas corpus petitions seeking the return of their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Paolo, Sebastian, and Veronica Duterte have 5 days to respond to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which submitted its reply on Monday.

“When the court asks a party to comment or respond, it does not mean that it either granted or denied the petition,” clarified SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting.

The Court also ordered government officials, led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, to comment within 10 days on the appeal by Duterte and Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, who are contesting the denial of their petition for a temporary restraining order on the former president’s arrest.

Duterte was arrested last Tuesday after the Interpol executed an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). He was sent to The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs.IMT