The Palace on Friday criticized the International People’s Tribunal’s ruling against President Rodrigo Duterte, saying it was “propaganda” that must be dumped and ignored.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a radio interview that the ITP was a “kangaroo court.”
“That court doesn’t have the power to judge against anyone,” Roque said.
“There is not even a law to create that, so no one gave them the mandate other than the Left to hear the alleged crimes of President Rodrigo Duterte.”
Roque said the tribunal’s decision had no effect as it was only propaganda.
“In simpler terms, they only brought their criticisms about the President in Europe. They asked their allies abroad for help and that was the decision made,” Roque said.
“A decision was handed over after two days, what kind of judicial proceeding is that?” he said, adding only the United Nations could give a mandate in the field of international law.
“Since they [IPT] don’t have a mandate, that needs to be trashed and disregarded,” Roque said.
Asked on how to balance Duterte’s strong leadership with the growing concerns on the alleged human rights violations under the administration’s war on drugs, Roque urged Duterte’s critics to use the rule of law.
“If there’s someone complaining he’s a victim of human rights violations, then file a case. The problem with the Left is that they will do propaganda [instead of] filing a case even though they have lawyers.”