Leila de Lima’s dilemma is a masterclass in political irony.

The former senator urges President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support the ICC investigation and enforce the arrest warrant against her nemesis, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, essentially declaring the Philippine justice system ineffective.

Yet, this is the same justice system that recently acquitted her of drug charges brought against her by the Duterte administration. Her acquittal could be seen as a beacon of hope for judicial fairness, but her plea for international intervention suggests otherwise. It’s like praising a lifeguard for saving you from drowning while simultaneously insisting they need swimming lessons.

Marcos Jr. cooperating with the ICC would indeed be a bold move, but it would also mean publicly admitting that local mechanisms are broken — mechanisms that, ironically, just worked in de Lima’s favor.

In the end, this saga is a fascinating dance of justice and politics where no step is straightforward.