As former President Rodrigo Duterte celebrates his 80th birthday in a jail at the Netherlands Friday, the Bisaya Gyud party-list said they have taken steps to seek justice in his case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

During the press conference, Bisaya Gyud party-list first nominee Greco Belgica announced that they have sent a letter to the presidents of the USA, Russia, China, and the Prime Minister of Israel, asking to intervene in the case of Duterte.

Belgica explained that, "these five all rejected the jurisdiction of the ICC in their countries."

He added that the ICC was created for countries without a court, which is not the case in the Philippines.

"Our justice here is slow, but we have, and they are used in handling cases of high-profile personalities," Belgico said.

The Bisaya Gyud party-list also launched online and offline signature initiatives to gather support from Filipinos inside and outside the country.

Belgico, along with the Bisaya Gyud party-list second nominee, retired Gen. Carlos Quita led the signing of the "Manifesto of Sovereignity, Justice, and Freedom," the public declaration of their movement, which they said would distribute hard copies for signing to different barangays in the country.

The partylist also launched "Defend the Constitution, Sovereignty, and Freedom! Bring Duterte Home!" an online signature campaign, which they expect to gather a million signatures and names from the supporters and non-supporters, but believe that justice should be served to Duterte.

"I think these (campaigns) bring the political situation in the Philippines to a different level," Belgico said. Kate Christian Ravelo/DMS