Jamaine Punzalan

A man holds a portrait of former president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Nicolas Tucat,  AFP

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

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/1753851045195AFP__20250314__372B2JW__v1__MidRes__NetherlandsPhilippinesJustice.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A man holds a portrait of former president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Nicolas Tucat,  AFP </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team said it would not call on witnesses at the confirmation hearing scheduled on September 23, 2025.</p><p>“This is a principled decision because credibility is given little weight at confirmation,” the defense said in its submission.</p><p>Duterte’s lawyers added that they “do not wish to give advance notice of the many potential Defence witnesses who would counter the evidence provided by the Prosecution’s discrete and carefully selected band of witnesses – to be counted on the fingers of one hand.”   </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/30/icc-victims-counsel-no-basis-to-delay-duterte-case-jurisdiction-ruling-1243">ICC victims&#x27; counsel: No basis to delay Duterte case jurisdiction ruling</a></div><p>The defense added that it would not supply any written testimonial evidence. </p><p>“The Defence has no books, documents, photographs, or other tangible objects that the Prosecution is entitled to inspect pursuant to Rule 78 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence,” it said.</p><p>But it said it would present documentary evidence to defend its client.</p><p>The defense also reiterated its notification dated July 17, where it supposedly flagged certain procedural concerns. In the notification, the defense requested for a “status conference” to address concerns, the details of which were heavily redacted.</p><p>Duterte stands accused of crimes against humanity over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups say killed thousands.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/lawyer-says-duterte-can-possibly-return-to-ph-in-interim-release-2259">Lawyer says Duterte can &#x27;possibly&#x27; return to PH in interim release</a></div><p>The 80-year-old was arrested in Manila on March 11, flown to the Netherlands that same night and has been held at the ICC&#x27;s detention unit at Scheveningen Prison since.</p><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x50gOdgHhRE" title="FULL: One-on-one interview with Duterte&#x27;s ICC lawyer | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team said it would not call on witnesses at the confirmation hearing scheduled on September 23, 2025.</p>

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team said it would not call on witnesses at the confirmation hearing scheduled on September 23, 2025.

Duterte defense team won’t call witnesses at ICC confirmation of charges

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Duterte defense team won’t call witnesses at ICC confirmation of charges

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 30, 2025 12:52 PM PHT

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