Camille Naredo

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").

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Initial appearance of Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176942326797020250314-duterte-pre-trial-chamber-ICC.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court on March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC/File" width="960"/>Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court on March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC/File</div>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) -- Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is &quot;fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings,&quot; the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday.Their decision was based on the medical assessment of three independent experts, who conducted a medical examination of Duterte.&quot;Having regard to the relevant legal principles, the medical assessment of the independent experts composing the Panel, and all of the relevant circumstances of the case, the Chamber was satisfied that Mr Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings, which are thereby resumed,&quot; the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said.The court has scheduled the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing for February 23.An order setting the schedule and directions for the hearing on the confirmation of charges will be issued in due course, the ICC chamber added.<div> </div><div>-- &#x27;END THE DRAMA&#x27; --</div>In a statement, ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said the decision &quot;ends the uncertainty&quot; regarding Duterte&#x27;s case.&quot;This should also end the drama about an old and frail man; the Court clearly finds that Duterte is a perceptive person who has a broad understanding of what he has been charged with,&quot; she added.&quot;We are relieved that, despite his alleged medical conditions, he has functional mental capacities,&quot; Conti also said. &quot;The panel of experts even mention that his conditions do not prevent him from giving testimony.&quot;We assure all that we will be ready for that day, and for every day this case is heard in court.&quot;Conti noted that the exact scope of the charges against Duterte will be discussed at the hearing, but stressed that victims of the former president&#x27;s drug war continue to urge the prosecution and the court to expand the acts that can be attributed to Duterte.They want the inclusion of &quot;the whole range of crimes,&quot; including imprisonment, torture, and other inhumane acts, as part of the general charge of crimes against humanity. Duterte was taken into custody on March 11, 2025, after arriving from Hong Kong, following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC.The warrant stemmed from the tribunal&#x27;s probe into his administration&#x27;s controversial anti-drug campaign, which has been accused of widespread human rights violations.That same day, Duterte was immediately flown to The Hague in the Netherlands, where the ICC headquarters is located, to formally face proceedings before the Court. Several months later, Duterte&#x27;s defense team attempted to delay the hearings, citing alleged health issues. This prompted the Court to assign independent medical experts to evaluate his condition. In December 2025, the experts released their findings, declaring Duterte medically fit to stand trial and rejecting claims of mental impairment. -- with a report from Carlos Trazo, ABS-CBN News<div></div>

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is "fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings," the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday.

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is "fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings," the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday.

ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I says Duterte 'fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings'

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ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I says Duterte 'fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings'

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Published Jan 26, 2026 06:13 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 26, 2026 07:40 PM PHT

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