The hearing for Rodrigo Duterte officially began.
RODRIGO DUTERTE HEARING – The International Criminal Court begins the confirmation of charges hearing for the former president.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) begins the hearing on Monday regarding the crimes against humanity of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. The hearing will decide whether he will face trial for crimes against humanity in connection with his deadly anti-drug campaign.
In a previous article, the ICC granted the former president permission to skip the confirmation of charges hearing. To recall, Duterte was accused of crimes against humanity.
“The Chamber hereby grants the request; decides that the hearing on the confirmation of charges will be held in the absence of Mr. Duterte,” the Chamber said in a document dated February 20.
During the hearing, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mandiaye Niang delivered the opening statement during the confirmation of charges hearing. In his statement, he expressed that Duterte is “criminally responsible” for three counts of murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity.
Relatives of victims of alleged extrajudicial killings listened closely as the confirmation of charges hearing opened in The Hague against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Some family members even applauded as the judges took their seats, marking the formal start of the proceedings. For many of them, the hearing represents a long-awaited moment in their pursuit of justice.
The relatives said they intend to monitor the proceedings daily, underscoring the personal weight and significance the case carries for their families. The hearings will run for four days from February 23 to 27, 2026.
The prosecutor confirmed charges against Duterte covering 49 alleged murder cases and 78 counts of attempted murder, including incidents involving children, in connection with his anti-drug war.
Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his role in at least 76 killings carried out between 2013 and 2018.
Joel Batuyan, counsel for the victims, expressed that families are “deeply disappointed” that Duterte was permitted to skip this stage of the confirmation hearing. Batuyan said that seeing Duterte “read and confronted” with the charges in person would have been a crucial element of justice for the victims. He described the ICC proceedings as their “last boat” in seeking accountability for relatives killed in the drug war.
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