Analysts: PH Rejoining ICC To Boost Investments

Rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC) could improve investor confidence in the Philippines because it shows that the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is serious about upholding human rights, analysts said recently.

Mr. Marcos earlier said his government is considering rejoining the ICC, which is investigating his predecessor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, for alleged “crimes against humanity.” I Photo: Council for the International Criminal Court

“Investors are assured that accountability and transparency are part and parcel of our legal system and that the system can withstand scrutiny,” said Leonardo A. Lanzona, who teaches economics at the Ateneo de Manila University, in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“As a whole, rejoining the ICC will be a boon to foreign investments.”

Mr. Marcos earlier said his government is considering rejoining the ICC, which is investigating his predecessor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, for alleged “crimes against humanity.”

The Hague-based tribunal reopened its probe of the drug war in January because it was not satisfied with Philippine efforts to probe extralegal killings and other alleged human rights abuses during the campaign.

Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analyst and convener of think tank InfraWatch PH, said rejoining the tribunal would show that the Philippines has clear human rights commitments, raising the confidence of international bodies such as the European Union (EU).

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem