FACT CHECK: Quote card of Hontiveros saying she will file ICC case vs Israel, Trump is fake

Claim: Senator Risa Hontiveros said she would file a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israel and United States President Donald Trump over alleged violations of human rights laws in Iran.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Various posts are circulating the fabricated statement across pro-Duterte Facebook groups, reaching groups like “The Best Ka Inday Sara,” which has as many as 142,000 members. 

Many of these reposts can be traced back to an individual named “Lexif Godiben,” who posted it numerous times across these Facebook groups.

These posts use an image of Hontiveros speaking, with text overlaid that states: “Breaknews (sic)! ‘Israel at si Donald Trump ay kakasuhan ko na sa ICC. Dami na nilang linabag n[a] batas Human rights sa Iran. – Sen. Risa Hontiveros.”

(Breaking news! “I will file a case against Israel and Donald Trump at the ICC. They have already violated many human rights laws in Iran.” – Sen. Risa Hontiveros.)

Godiben’s caption for the post also mocks Hontiveros, claiming that her supposed obsession with becoming president made her crack ill-timed jokes that make the crisis caused by the Middle East conflict worse.

As of this posting, Godiben’s post has reached 2,100 reactions, 1,000 comments, and 39 shares, with numerous reposts on various pro-Duterte Facebook groups. 

The facts: On March 2, Hontiveros held a press conference raising concerns over the ongoing tensions among the US, Israel, and Iran, calling for an end to the conflict and the resumption of negotiations regarding its nuclear disputes. But nowhere in the 11-minute livestream of the press conference can Hontiveros be heard asserting that she will file a case with the ICC against Israel and Trump, nor was the question ever raised.

Hontiveros’ statements were made in light of the death of Filipina caregiver Mary Ann De Vera, who was killed while helping a patient reach a bomb shelter in Israel. Her comments came amid increasing tensions, as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.

Such a statement could not be found on Hontiveros’ official social media platforms or in any credible news outlets. Moreover, it has circulated only in pro-Duterte Facebook groups and personal accounts. 

Cases at the ICC: In the ICC, cases stem from preliminary examinations conducted by its prosecutors, either by their own initiative or through referrals from state parties or the UN Security Council. At this stage, prosecutors assess “whether there is sufficient evidence of crimes of sufficient gravity falling within the ICC’s jurisdiction, whether there are genuine national proceedings, and whether opening an investigation would serve the interests of justice and of the victims.” Only if these criteria are met can the prosecutor proceed to a formal investigation; otherwise, cases may be dismissed during its preliminary stage. 

This is the same process that led to the ICC issuing arrest warrants related to the situation in Palestine against Israel. Following an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan filed applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, which were later granted by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I.

Conflict with Iran: The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran emerged from failed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Prior to the conflict, the US and Iran were at a series of negotiations to reach a nuclear peace deal mediated by Oman. These negotiations collapsed shortly before the conflict began when Iran insisted on its “inalienable right” to enrich itself of uranium and rejected the US proposal for zero enrichment. – Lance Ariel Bustos/Rappler.com

Lance Ariel Bustos is a Rappler intern. He is a third-year political science and Philippine media studies student at De La Salle University Manila, and the current intermedia editor of The LaSallian, DLSU’s official student publication.

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