According to the lawyer of Rodrigo Duterte, his health makes him unable to contribute to pre-trial.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte remotely appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC), and here’s the date of his charges hearing.
For the first time, former President Rodrigo Duterte faces the International Criminal Court (ICC). This was after his arrest related to crimes against humanity because of his war on drugs.
Duterte remotely faced the judges as his appeal to move the pre-trial was rejected. According to an ICC judge, there’s nothing to prepare for, hence the rejection.
During the event, the lawyer of the former president, Salvador Medialdea, said he was “abducted from his country” adding: “He was summarily transported to The Hague. To lawyers it’s extrajudicial rendition. For less legal minds it’s pure and simple kidnapping.”
The lawyer also added that Duterte could not contribute to the proceedings due to his “debilitating medical issues”. However, presiding judge Iulia Motoc cited that the court doctor who examined the ex-president in ICC detention was “fully mentally aware and fit”.
“The court doctor was of the opinion that you were fully mentally aware and fit”.
The hearing proceeded, led by the same three female judges that issued the arrest warrant against him, such as Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.
The pre-trial chamber set September 23, 2025, as the date for the confirmation of charges hearing. This will establish if the prosecution’s evidence is strong enough to send the case to trial. If a trial is pushed through, this process would take years, and if convicted, Duterte might face a maximum of lifetime imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s daughter, VP Sara Duterte arrived at The Hague, along with Senator Robin Padilla and former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque ahead of the hearing. Roque shared that his priority is to let the VP and his father see each other.
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