Malacañang confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains firm in his position that the Philippines will not rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), despite renewed calls from opposition lawmakers and international observers.

MANILA, March 10, 2026 — Palace officials said Tuesday that Marcos has not shifted his stance on keeping the country out of the ICC. “The President’s stance has not changed. We will still not rejoin the ICC,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters during the president’s trip to New York.

The Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC on March 17, 2019, under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, after the tribunal sought to investigate his controversial war on drugs. The withdrawal followed the country’s notification to the United Nations a year earlier, making the Philippines the second nation to leave the Rome Statute after Burundi.

Marcos’ refusal to rejoin comes at a time when the ICC has confirmed charges against Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague. Critics argue that the Philippines’ absence from the court undermines accountability for human rights violations, while supporters of Marcos’ position say rejoining would compromise national sovereignty.

The president’s stance also coincides with his diplomatic efforts abroad, including a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, where he pushed for the Philippines’ bid to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Observers note that while Marcos is seeking greater international engagement, his refusal to rejoin the ICC highlights a selective approach to global institutions.

For now, the Palace insists that the Philippines will continue to pursue justice through domestic mechanisms rather than international tribunals. Marcos’ position underscores a continuity of policy from his predecessor, even as the country navigates complex international pressures and domestic debates over accountability.