Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

(UPDATED) The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has approved 500 more applicants to take part as victims in the confirmation stage of the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, the court said in a decision released Friday. This brought to 539 the total number of victims participating in the stage. The chamber said lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres, as well as Paolina Massidda of the Court’s Office of Public Counsel for Victims, were appointed as  common legal representatives for the authorized victims.Duterte&#x27;s camp previously asked the court to disqualify three newly appointed external legal representatives for drug war victims, including Butuyan and Andres, citing alleged conflict of interest.The Feb. 11 request penned by Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lead counsel, alleged that one of the representatives repeatedly criticized its legal strategy in media interviews, used “denigratory slurs” against counsel, and expressed “preconceived views” on Duterte’s guilt and character.It also noted that Nicolene Arcaina, the reported CLRV case manager, had a professional working relationship with Butuyan and Andres at human rights group CenterLaw Philippines.ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti earlier said the possible disqualification of lawyers representing drug war victims will have minimal impact in the proceedings.Paolina Massidda, principal counsel of the Office of Public Counsel for Victims, could serve instead as a representative for the victims, Conti said in an interview on Headstart.However, Conti acknowledged that victims may prefer a Filipino representative and could face challenges coordinating with Massidda, who is based abroad.The chamber, in a separate decision also released Friday, rejected the defense&#x27;s request to appeal the decision finding Duterte fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings.Duterte was arrested on March 11  on his arrival from Hong Kong at the request of the ICC as part of its probe into his &quot;war on drugs&quot; that defined his presidency.The ICC warrant for Duterte&#x27;s arrest said that as president, Duterte allegedly created, funded, and armed death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers.He was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day he was arrested.Duterte on March 14 appeared via video link before ICC judges. Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, which was supposed to be held last September 23, was postponed to a later date, citing a request from Duterte&#x27;s defense team.The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has rejected the request of Duterte&#x27;s defense team for his interim release.<div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qXBleBgGKkA??si=T8ugffvJKF_4-Cpa&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has approved 500 more applicants to take part as victims in the confirmation stage of the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, the court said in a decision released Friday.

The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has approved 500 more applicants to take part as victims in the confirmation stage of the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, the court said in a decision released Friday.

ICC approves 500 more applicants to participate as victims in Duterte case

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ICC approves 500 more applicants to participate as victims in Duterte case

Jojo Pasion Malig,

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 13, 2026 06:49 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 13, 2026 09:20 PM PHT

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ICC

Rodrigo Duterte

war on drugs

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