French embassy corrects Rody on presumption of innocence

MANILA, Philippines -  Emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and due process, the French embassy in Manila corrected President Duterte for saying one is guilty until proven innocent under French criminal law.

“We have to point out that, as in the Philippines, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is at the core of the French judicial system, based on the principles enshrined in the French Declaration of Human and Civic Rights of Aug. 26, 1789,” the embassy said in a statement.

“France strongly believes in the importance of the rule of law, due process and respect for human rights in all countries, including the Philippines,” the embassy stressed.

Duterte mentioned France as he cursed anew United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard, who called the war on drugs cruel and urged the government to make the death of 17-year-old student Kian delos Santos the last in its drug war.

Duterte reminded Callamard, who has been critical of his war on drugs, that the Philippines is not under the jurisdiction of France, her country.

“French? T*** i**, umuwi siya doon (Son of a b****. She should just go home),” he said.

“They can detain a person almost indefinitely, under French law. And the French law says you are guilty, and you have to prove your innocence. Here, the presumption is you are innocent,” Duterte told reporters in an interview on Monday.

Duterte has hurled expletives at Callamard in the past because of her criticisms against the administration’s drug war.

Malacañang did not directly react to Duterte’s gaffe, merely stressing the Philippines’ commitment to human rights.  

“The Philippines and France share the same values of respect for human rights, due process and accords primacy to the presumption of innocence,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement. 

“The President’s statements (on Monday) express the sentiment that while no judicial or legal system in the world is perfect, countries are continuously working to refine their laws and improve their respective national systems in order to ensure protection of human rights while maintaining peace and order within its territory,” he added.  – With Alexis Romero