MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte, lawyer Harry Roque, and Sen. Robin Padilla trooped to the International Criminal Court on Friday to support former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is expected to make his first appearance at the tribunal.

Roque, who had served as ex-President Duterte’s spokesperson, faces an arrest order for skipping a House inquiry into Philippine offshore gaming operators.

House now considers Harry Roque a 'fugitive' — lawmaker

Courtesy: Jofelle Tesorio, The Filipino Correspondent Network (TFCN)

ROQUE SAYS LETTING DUTERTE MEET VP SARA A ‘PRIORITY

Speaking to reporters outside the ICC, Roque said they have yet to see the former president. They have also filed the appropriate forms to have him meet Vice President Duterte before he is brought to court.

“Buong araw kahapon hindi siya nakita dahil di umano siya ay binigyan ng medical examination. So ngayon pa lang, ang problema dito sa ICC ang daming papel bago mo makita ano. So we have just submitted the forms to visit him para hindi naman kauna-unahang beses magkikita sila ni Vice President,” he said.

“So ang priority ko, actually, is to make sure magkita muna silang mag-ama, dahil ni hindi pa alam ni presidente na nandito si Vice President…I want them so see each other outside of the court first,” Roque added.

Roque also expressed hope that he will be registered as Duterte’s counsel in time for the initial appearance.

Roque is one of the only five Filipino lawyers included in the List of Counsels before the ICC. Only those on the list can practice before the ICC.

“I do not know if I can be registered in time for the hearing today, but in addition to the postponement, if I am recognized today, and I’m not sure yet, I will also bring the issue of the illegality of the arrest of the former president that should lead the court to losing its jurisdiction,” he said.

“It is not an arraignment. It is just to make sure that he understands the nature of the charges against him,” Roque added.

The Duterte patriarch is expected to appear before ICC judges for a short hearing on Friday where he will be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed and his rights as a defendant.

Rodrigo Duterte to appear before ICC on March 14

Duterte, the first Asian head of state to face ICC charges, stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups said killed thousands.

Duterte case seen as a 'gift' for embattled ICC

Vice President Duterte has labelled her father’s arrest as "oppression and persecution", with their family having sought an emergency injunction from the Supreme Court to stop his transfer to the Netherlands.

At the initial hearing, a suspect can request interim release pending a trial, according to ICC rules.

Following that first hearing, the next phase is a session to confirm the charges, at which point a suspect can challenge the prosecutor's evidence.

Only after that hearing will the court decide whether to press ahead with a trial, a process that could take several months or even years.

— With a report from Agence France Presse