Camille Naredo

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court on 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

Carlos Trazo

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/175811998745620250314-duterte-pre-trial-chamber-ICC (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court on March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court on March 14, 2025. <em>Handout/ICC</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The legal defense team of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, headed by Atty. Nicolas Kaufman, has formally requested his interim release from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing prolonged delays and unresolved logistical issues in assessing his fitness to stand trial. </p><p>In a recent filing, the Defense acknowledged the Registry’s efforts in preparing materials for the Pre-Trial Chamber: “The Defense appreciates the intense work carried out by the Registry, at such short notice, in formulating [REDACTED] for the consideration of the Pre-Trial Chamber.” </p><p>However, they emphasized that the issue of Duterte’s fitness was raised well before his initial appearance, and that two requests for status conferences had been submitted “a considerable time ago” to address the matter.</p><p>These requests were opposed by the Prosecution, which seeks to keep Duterte in detention. </p><p>The Defense also noted that the confirmation of charges hearing has now been postponed indefinitely, despite the Chamber’s earlier instruction for only a short adjournment. They argued that logistical hurdles identified by the Registry would “necessarily entail the prolongation of proceedings,” and that this delay supports the case for provisional release. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/9/12/icc-prosecutor-opposes-duterte-s-request-for-interim-release-anew-2251"><strong>ICC prosecutor opposes Duterte’s request for interim release anew</strong></a> </div><p>To address concerns about release, the Defense proposed an additional condition, details of which were redacted in the filing, that would be supervised exclusively by the Pre-Trial Chamber. They further argued that Duterte should not remain in detention while proceedings on fitness are underway, especially as these are now expected to take a significant amount of time. </p><p>“Administrative delay, occasioned by [REDACTED], cannot justify the abrogation of liberty,” they said. </p><p>According to the filing, interim release should be granted as soon as continued detention is no longer reasonable. </p><p>The Defense also assured the Court that Duterte’s release would not interfere with the ongoing litigation or the broader case. The receiving State identified by the Defense has reportedly agreed to cooperate fully with the Court, including facilitating any procedures deemed necessary by the Pre-Trial Chamber. </p><p>In light of this assurance, the Defense concluded that allowing former president Duterte interim release during the ongoing fitness proceedings would not only uphold his rights under the Rome Statute, but also preserve the integrity and efficiency of the judicial process. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/ex-drug-war-cop-garma-in-malaysia-to-meet-with-icc-officials-remulla-1412"><strong>Ex-drug war cop Garma meets ICC officials in Malaysia, agrees to testify against Duterte: DOJ </strong></a> </div><p>Last March 11, former president Duterte was arrested and is currently detained as he is facing charges of crimes against humanity in connection with thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs. However, exactly six months since his arrival at the Hague, his legal team has argued that he suffers from cognitive impairments that affect his ability to participate meaningfully in the trial. </p><p>The ICC has yet to issue a ruling on the interim release request, and proceedings remain suspended pending further review.</p><div> </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/CQvtcX1f_J0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The legal defense team of ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, headed by Atty. Nicolas Kaufman, has formally requested his interim release from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing prolonged delays and unresolved logistical issues in assessing his fitness to stand trial.</p>

The legal defense team of ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, headed by Atty. Nicolas Kaufman, has formally requested his interim release from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing prolonged delays and unresolved logistical issues in assessing his fitness to stand trial.

Duterte legal team urges ICC to grant interim release amid delays in fitness proceedings

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Duterte legal team urges ICC to grant interim release amid delays in fitness proceedings

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 18, 2025 12:25 AM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

Nicholas Kaufman

Interim release

International Criminal Court

The Hague

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