Camille Naredo

Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, 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

Katrina Domingo

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/175006957623620250314-duterte-pre-trial-chamber-ICC (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, March 14, 2025. <em>Handout/ICC</em></span></span></span></div><p>DAVAO CITY — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyers are optimistic that his interim release “will be granted at the soonest possible time,” Vice President Sara Duterte said on Monday, days after her father’s camp confirmed that a request to grant temporary liberty to the detained Filipino leader has already been filed in court.</p><p>The former president’s lawyers did not give a timeline on when they expect the International Criminal Court (ICC) to rule on the interim release request for the former president, the Vice President said in a press conference here.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/12/interim-release-from-icc-sought-for-detained-duterte-0055">READ: Interim release from ICC sought for detained Duterte</a></div><p>“Lagi niyang (lawyer) sinasabi, ‘We are hoping that it will be granted the soonest possible time.’ Iyan ‘yung lagi niyang sagot kapag tinatanong siya about interim release,” she said.</p><p>The Vice President said that their family was not given some leeway in nominating a third country where their patriarch can be temporarily released.</p><p>“Walang binigay na choice sa family. Walang tulong sa ICC,” she said.</p><p>The motion to grant an interim release for the Philippines’ 16th president was confirmed last week after the ICC published several court documents on its website.</p><p>The defense panel cited Duterte’s old age and ailing condition among the reasons why he deserved to be given some degree of liberty outside the ICC’s detention facility.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/12/-50-50-odds-duterte-could-get-icc-interim-release-victims-lawyer-0754">READ: ‘50-50’ odds that ICC will grant Duterte interim release -- victims’ lawyer</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/13/victims-kin-to-oppose-interim-icc-release-for-duterte-colmenares-1231">READ: Victims’ kin to oppose interim ICC release for Duterte — Colmenares</a></div><p>“Ang sa akin lang naman is makakabuti talaga yan sa kanya dahil 80-years old na siya at hindi lahat ng pangangailangan ng 80-years old ay nabibigay ng ICC Detention Unit,” Vice President Duterte said.</p><p>“Mas maigi na siguro na mayroon siyang interim release at meron siyang available na nurses and caregivers na mag-assist sa kanya,” she said.</p><p>The Duterte patriarch — who won as Davao city mayor in the 2025 midterm elections — has yet to take his oath of office due to his current detention in the Netherlands.</p><p>“Hanggang ngayon, wala pang oath si dating Pangulong Duterte. Hindi pa namin alam dito sa Davao City kung mag-o-oath ba ang pinili namin na Mayor ng Davao City,” said his daughter, who is also the Philippines’ vice president.</p><p>“Sa ngayon, hindi siya uupo kasi wala pa siyang oath. Antayin natin siguro until June 30 kung may oath o wala si dating Pangulong Duterte,” she said.</p><p>The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said that the former chief executive may be allowed to take his new oath of office in the Hague provided that it will be administered by a qualified Filipino official.</p><p>Should the Duterte patriarch fail to take his oath, his son Davao City Vice Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte will serve as the city’s acting local chief executive.</p><p>His grandson and namesake Rodrigo Duterte II, the city’s top councilor in the 2025 midterm elections, will act as Davao City’s vice mayor in his uncle’s stead.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5nXvVZ0ywwc?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyers are optimistic that his interim release “will be granted at the soonest possible time,” Vice President Sara Duterte said on Monday.</p>

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyers are optimistic that his interim release “will be granted at the soonest possible time,” Vice President Sara Duterte said on Monday.

Duterte lawyers hopeful interim release ‘will be granted at soonest possible time’: VP Sara

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Duterte lawyers hopeful interim release ‘will be granted at soonest possible time’: VP Sara

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 16, 2025 06:31 PM PHT

|

Updated June 16, 2025 08:31 PM PHT

Read More:

interim release

Sara Duterte

ICC

ABSNews

Rodrigo Duterte

International Criminal Court

war on drugs

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.