Camille Naredo

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte makes his initial appearance before the 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

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/175906563570620250314-duterte-pre-trial-chamber-ICC-2 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte makes his initial appearance before the 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 the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court on March 14, 2025. <em>Handout/ICC</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Netherlands may be the country willing to host former President Rodrigo Duterte should he be granted an interim release by the International Criminal Court, according to Atty. Maria Kristina Conti.</p><p>Conti, who serves as ICC assistant to counsel, said that this is indicated in the court records.</p><p>&quot;The Netherlands. Obvious kasi it will be a transit country papunta sa second or third country. Pero sinabi ng defense na una irerelease muna into Dutch territory,&quot; she said in an interview on DZMM Teleradyo on Sunday. </p><p>&quot;Ang sabi... the Netherlands, baka pwede nyo ring kupkupin na for the rest of the period of interim release. What if d&#x27;yan na lang kasi babyahe ka pa eh, nandyan ka na eh. Ito yung narining ko na may panawagan na house arrest sa Netherlands,&quot; she explained.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/22/duterte-camp-finds-host-country-for-possible-interim-release-vp-sara-1339"><strong>One country agreed to host ex-President Duterte for interim release: VP Sara</strong></a> </div><p>Duterte, who is facing charges for crimes against humanity, is currently in The Hague in the Netherlands while he waits for the confirmation of charges.</p><p>Duterte’s camp renewed its request of the ICC’s pre-trial chamber to act on their petition for interim release, citing prolonged delays and unresolved logistical issues in assessing his fitness to stand trial. </p><p>The defense also assured the ICC that Duterte’s release would not interfere with the ongoing litigation or the broader case.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CONDITIONS</strong></div><p>Conti believes the behavior being displayed by Duterte&#x27;s family could affect the court&#x27;s decision for Duterte&#x27;s interim release.</p><p>&quot;Kung sa akin, hindi yung bansa ang importante, sa totoo lang, kundi &#x27;yung kondisyones,&quot; she said. &quot;Sabi nga yung risk factors: Kailangang &#x27;di ka gagawa ng dagdag krimen; kelangan hindi makikialam sa proseso o kaya sa victims, witnesses at lahat ng involved; at most importantly babalik ka sa korte.&quot;</p><p>The lawyer said everything will be taken into account. Conti said there is this issue that Duterte&#x27;s camp should recognize the legitimacy of the ICC.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung pagsapak ni Honeylet doon sa jail guard ba o pulis nung huhulihin sabi ng prosecutor parang it does not bode well. Kapag pinalaya tapos iaaresto ulit baka hindi lang sapak sapak ang abutin natin?&quot; she said.</p><p>She also pointed out the statements recently made by Duterte&#x27;s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung vlog ni VP Sara &#x27;yung nagsasabing, &#x27;Hello mga kababayan, i-jail break na lang natin.&#x27; Naku, tinake note din ng prosecution kasi all these point to if not disrespect, but maybe on the minimum, refusal to accept the legitimacy of the court,&quot; she stressed.</p><p>&quot;Parang magpo-point siya na naku, parang hindi na babalik ito.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MEDICAL CONDITION</strong></div><p>Conti also commented on the Vice President&#x27;s claim, citing credible information, that her father was found unconscious on the floor in his room.</p><p>&quot;Ngayong araw ay nilinaw ng ICC na ito ang parameters o protocols kapag ang isang tao ay nakakulong: Ang physical safety, mental health ay kailangang pangalagaan at on call lahat ng medical personnel, mapa duktor or nurse,&quot; she said.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/27/sara-duterte-claims-father-was-found-unconscious-on-detention-room-floor-1729"><strong>Sara Duterte says father underwent lab tests after found unconscious</strong></a> </div><p>She again downplayed the Vice President&#x27;s statement.</p><p>&quot;Una, &#x27;yung presumption na &#x27;yung medical professionals are professionals, hindi basta magkukwento pag uwi. Hindi yung, &#x27;Alam mo ba chineck up ko si Duterte, ganito ganito pala siya e no?&#x27; Hindi yun magkukwento sa mga kapamilya, kabahay, hindi rin pwede &#x27;yung duktor pinagkakalat ang mga papeles o medical records ni Duterte,&quot; said Conti.</p><p>She asserted that even the families of the victims of Duterte&#x27;s so-called war against drugs want the former president to remain fit for trial. It is their only chance to get justice for their departed loved ones, said Conti. </p><p>&quot;Gusto nila healthy si Duterte para buhay. Para magsimula ang trial,&quot; she said. &quot;Kami ang dehado kung mamatay si Duterte na matatapos ang proceeding at walang mangyayaring truth seeking... Kailangan  may katarungan,&quot; she added.</p><p>If the Vice President is concerned about her father&#x27;s welfare, Conti said she better directly address the ICC.</p><p>&quot;Sana maipaabot sa ICC, sa korte mismo. Parang propaganda lang itio, nagkakagulo tayo na hindi naman pala totoo,&quot; she said. &quot;&#x27;Yung decision ng court will not be affected by public opinion.&quot; </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/jfWABA9a8gk?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Netherlands may be the country willing to host former President Rodrigo Duterte should he be granted an interim release by the International Criminal Court, according to Atty. Maria Kristina Conti.</p>

The Netherlands may be the country willing to host former President Rodrigo Duterte should he be granted an interim release by the International Criminal Court, according to Atty. Maria Kristina Conti.

The Netherlands eyed as 'host country' if Duterte granted interim release, says lawyer

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The Netherlands eyed as 'host country' if Duterte granted interim release, says lawyer

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 28, 2025 10:09 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 29, 2025 01:27 AM PHT

Read More:

Kristina Conti

ICC

Rodrigo Duterte

Sara Duterte

Crimes against humanity

War on drugs

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