Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has upheld its jurisdiction over the crimes against humanity case filed against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, rejecting a petition from his defense team that questioned the court’s authority to proceed.In a 32-page decision, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber dismissed the Duterte camp’s “jurisdiction challenge” and a related request to postpone its ruling, effectively clearing another hurdle for the continuation of proceedings stemming from the country’s bloody “war on drugs.”“For these reasons, the Chamber hereby rejects the Defence request to postpone the issuance of this decision... [and] rejects the Defence Challenge to Jurisdiction,” the court said.The Pre-Trial Chamber reaffirmed that the Philippines remained bound by the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, when the country’s withdrawal took effect.The judges noted that the alleged crimes against humanity attributed to Duterte were committed during this period, making the case well within the court’s jurisdiction. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/24/icc-decision-in-duterte-case-green-lights-additional-warrants-lawyer-1519">ICC decision in Duterte case green-lights additional warrants - lawyer </a> </div>The ruling also underscored that the Philippine government’s 2018 withdrawal appeared to be a move to “avoid compliance” with the ICC, as it was announced shortly after the Prosecutor opened a preliminary examination into the anti-drug campaign.Human rights lawyers representing families of drug war victims hailed the decision as a major step forward.Atty. Neri Colmenares, one of the counsels for the victims, said the ruling “practically destroyed” Duterte’s claim that he was unlawfully detained because the ICC had no jurisdiction.“We ask President Duterte to stop employing delaying tactics and instead allow the confirmation of charges and trial to push through,” Colmenares said.“The families of the victims have long yearned for the justice which they were deprived of by President Duterte. It is about time that the victims are allowed to submit their evidence and the stories of how their loved ones were mercilessly and brutally killed.” Meanwhile, Atty. Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel at the ICC representing some of the victims, said the dismissal of the jurisdiction challenge paves the way for more concrete actions from the court, including possible warrants of arrest for Duterte’s co-perpetrators.“This decision allows the broader investigation into the war on drugs to continue,” Conti explained. “It also means the Court can issue warrants of arrest where warranted.”Conti added that the defense, prosecution, and victims’ representatives must submit comments by November 5 regarding Duterte’s medical evaluation, which aims to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/23/icc-rejects-duterte-s-jurisdiction-challenge-2355">ICC rejects Duterte&#x27;s jurisdiction challenge </a></div>“The deadlines are fast-moving,” she said. “We hope that before the year ends, the question of whether he’s fit or not to stand trial will finally be settled.”Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman said his team had anticipated the decision and would file an appeal. “Given that the matter was extensively litigated and adjudicated in the Prosecution’s favor prior to the former President’s arrest, the Defence anticipated this decision and will appeal it,” Kaufman said in a statement.Following the medical assessment, the court is expected to set the confirmation of charges hearing, where prosecutors must demonstrate sufficient evidence for three counts of crimes against humanity before the case can advance to full trial. For the families of victims, however, the fight for justice continues.

Human rights lawyers representing families of drug war victims hailed the ICC decision as a major step forward.

Human rights lawyers representing families of drug war victims hailed the ICC decision as a major step forward.

Victims’ lawyers urge end to ‘delaying tactics’ as ICC upholds jurisdiction over Duterte case

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Victims’ lawyers urge end to ‘delaying tactics’ as ICC upholds jurisdiction over Duterte case

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 24, 2025 06:34 PM PHT

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Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

Pre-Trial Chamber

War on Drugs

Crimes Against Humanity

tokhang

EJK

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