MARCH 31, 2026 — Senator Robin Padilla’s latest stunt — lugging a suitcase of 60,000 fresh signatures to the Supreme Court — has pushed the total count to 304,000. Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte are chanting “Bring him home,” demanding the Court act on habeas corpus petitions filed by Duterte’s children. 

The optics are dramatic, but the truth is, the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over the International Criminal Court, where Duterte is detained on charges of crimes against humanity.

Padilla insists, “Nandito po kaming muli para dalhin namin sa ating Kataas-taasang Hukuman ang mga nakalap po naming mga pirma.”

(We are here again to bring to our Supreme Court the signatures we gathered.)

Supporter Joie Cruz adds, “304,000 is 304,000 and these people came to us nang walang kapalit, walang ayuda.”

(304,000 is 304,000 and these people came to us without exchange, without aid.)

The Philippines has a population of over 115 million. Is 304,000 truly representative of the majority? Or is it a vocal minority flexing its numbers to pressure the judiciary into a fight it cannot legally win anyway?

The Supreme Court can acknowledge the signatures, yes, but it cannot override the ICC. That’s the crux of the matter. The petitions, no matter how many, are symbolic at best. They highlight a clash between nationalist sentiment and international accountability. 

Now, the question is whether this campaign is really about sovereignty or simply about shielding Duterte from facing justice on the world stage.

The spectacle outside the Court may stir emotions, but the legal reality remains unchanged. The ICC operates outside Philippine jurisdiction, and no suitcase of signatures can change that.

(Image: X)