Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

It’s all systems go for the International Criminal Court confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte on February 23.This, after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 ruled that Duterte is &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/26/icc-pre-trial-chamber-i-says-duterte-fit-to-take-part-in-pre-trial-proceedings-1813">fit to take part </a>in the pre-trial proceedings.”“Tuloy na, ito ‘yung confirmation of charges. Ang start niyan ay sa February 23 kasi sabi ng Pre-Trial Chamber, fit nga to participate sa pre-trial proceedings si Mr. Duterte,” Atty. Gilbert Andres, an ICC-listed lawyer representing several victims, said.He added: “Mahalaga ‘yung confirmation of charges kasi doon papatunayan ng prosecutor na dapat ituloy sa trial.”Andres said it is up to Duterte if he wants to be physically present during the hearing.During the hearing, the prosecutor needs to show evidence that the trial should proceed.“May mga opening statement at ipapakita niya yung kanyang mga ebidensya at base na lang sa mga naging practice sa ICC, usually, papel-papel ‘yung testimonya ng mga witness. Napaka-rare na merong in-person na witness,” Andres said.“Magpe-presinta din ‘yung sa hanay ng mga biktima ng argumento nila. Magpa-present din ‘yung defense.”ICC prosecutors have charged the 80-year-old Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders as part of his &quot;war on drugs&quot;.The first count concerns his alleged involvement as a co-perpetrator in 19 murders carried out between 2013 and 2016 while Duterte was mayor of Davao City.The second count relates to 14 murders of so-called &quot;High Value Targets&quot; in 2016 and 2017 when Duterte was president.And the third charge is about 43 murders committed during &quot;clearance&quot; operations of lower-level alleged drug users or pushers. With Agence France-Presse

It’s all systems go for the International Criminal Court confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte on February 23.

It’s all systems go for the International Criminal Court confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte on February 23.

All systems go for ICC confirmation of charges vs Duterte

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All systems go for ICC confirmation of charges vs Duterte

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 27, 2026 09:03 AM PHT

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Updated January 27, 2026 11:59 AM PHT

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rodrigo duterte

crimes against humanity

international criminal court

ICC

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