Malacañang on Thursday welcomed the International Criminal Court’s warning against the spread of misinformation related to the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying it validates the government’s concerns over false narratives surrounding the proceedings.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the ICC’s observations showed that concerns about disinformation are not exclusive to the Philippine government.
“Naging makabuluhan po ang ipinahayag ng ICC dahil nakita po natin na hindi lamang po tayo ang nakakakita at nakakapansin ng pagkalat ng fake news,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
She alleged that much of the misinformation linked to the ICC proceedings came from Duterte’s camp.
“Karamihan po dito ay talagang nanggaling sa kampo ng mga Duterte lalung-lalo na patungkol dito sa kaso sa ICC,” she said.
Castro also said it was appropriate for the ICC to call out former lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman over statements made outside the courtroom, maintaining that his previous remarks against the administration were politically motivated.
The Palace official’s comments came after an ICC status conference in which Presiding Judge Joanna Korner raised concerns about the spread of misinformation surrounding the Duterte case and reminded parties involved to exercise caution in their public statements.
