Camille Naredo

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC

Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s initial appearance took place on Friday, 14 March 2025, at 14:00 hours (The Hague local time), before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court").

Article (news)

Initial appearance of Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte

Dennis Gasgonia

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176088138904520250314-duterte-pre-trial-chamber-ICC (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), March 14, 2025. <em>Handout/ICC</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Former President Rodrigo Duterte could undergo treatment if needed, should experts find him unfit to stand trial before the International Criminal Court, according to Atty. Kristina Conti.</p><p>The Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC has recently ordered a medical examination on Duterte to determine his fitness to participate in pre-trial proceedings, including the confirmation of charges. </p><p>The medical panel consists of a forensic psychiatrist, a neuropsychologist, and a geriatric and behavioral neurologist. They are expected to submit their report by October 31.</p><p>If found unfit, Conti said Duterte will remain under ICC custody and his case will be reviewed every 120 days. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/18/duterte-to-stay-in-icc-custody-even-if-found-unfit-for-trial-lawyer-says-1709"><strong>Duterte to stay in ICC custody even if found unfit for trial, lawyer says </strong></a> </div><p>&quot;He could go to treatment,&quot; said the ICC Assistant to Counsel in an interview on DZMM Teleradyo on Sunday.</p><p>&quot;Tinatanong nga ang mga eksperto ano ba ang kundisyon nya ngayon? May kontribusyon ba ang edad? Mayroon bang pwedeng iadjust sa kanyang kundisyon para gumaan ang sitwasyon? Kumbaga kung &#x27;di makapunta sa hearing, ano bang rekomendasyon?&quot;</p><p>Conti said the family of the victims of Duterte&#x27;s war on drugs are intently waiting for the development of the case.</p><p>&quot;Ito ang isa sa mga worst case scenario ng mga biktima ng war on drugs. Dahil nabibinbin tayo dahil sa kalagayan ng isang tao,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;Para sa amin mahalaga na healthy ang respondent bilang pagkilala n&#x27;ya rin sa due process... Kung unfit to stand trial siya, e para tayong nasa purgatoryo.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/18/vp-sara-duterte-prays-for-dad-rodrigo-s-good-health-interim-release-1417"><strong>VP Sara Duterte prays for dad Rodrigo&#x27;s &#x27;good health,&#x27; interim release </strong></a> </div><p>But Conti said the confirmation of charges could push through even without the presence of the former president.</p><p>&quot;Ang confirmation of charges, hindi pa ito trial... p&#x27;wede itong matuloy kahit hindi present ang akusado... aayusin pa lang ang sakdal at paguusapan pa lang ang mga legal na bagay. Ang kausap dito ay abogado, so as long as (Atty. Nicholas) Kaufman is fit and ready kumbaga. Ngayon palang pwede nang matuloy ang confirmation hearing,&quot; she explained.</p><p>If the case stalls, then the confirmation of charges might be rescheduled sometime in January 2026, she said. This will prolong Duterte&#x27;s stay in detention.</p><p>&quot;Magbebreak kasi ang court, from Dec. 5 yata to Jan 12. So para sa akin realistic maadjust ang confirmation of charges sa January, basta 2026,&quot; said Conti. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABnjZaL9cDpAXUDC"></script>

<p>Former President Rodrigo Duterte could undergo treatment if needed, should experts find him unfit to stand trial before the International Criminal Court, according to Atty. Kristina Conti.</p>

Former President Rodrigo Duterte could undergo treatment if needed, should experts find him unfit to stand trial before the International Criminal Court, according to Atty. Kristina Conti.

If 'unfit to stand trial,' Duterte could undergo treatment, says lawyer

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If 'unfit to stand trial,' Duterte could undergo treatment, says lawyer

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 19, 2025 10:10 PM PHT

Read More:

ICC

Rodrigo Duterte

Crimes against Humanity

Kristina Conti

International Criminal Court

drug war

war on drugs

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