Camille Naredo

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte's initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC/File

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

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177141894929520250314-duterte-pre-trial-chamber-ICC-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte&#x27;s initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC/File" width="960"/>Former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte&#x27;s initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, March 14, 2025. Handout/ICC/File</div>MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte has informed the International Criminal Court (ICC) that he wishes to waive his right to attend his confirmation of charges hearing next week, citing his continued refusal to recognize the chamber’s jurisdiction.In a signed letter dated February 17, the former President said that the “consequences of waiving his right has been thoroughly explained” by his legal counsel.“I do not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over my person,” the letter read.“I am a Filipino citizen forcibly pushed into a jet and renditioned to the Hague in the Netherlands in flagrant contravention of my country’s Constitution and of national sovereignty,” he said, alleging that his “kidnapping” was “facilitated by the Office of the incumbent President of the Philippines.”<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/17/drug-war-victims-kin-supporters-mount-anti-troll-networks-ahead-of-duterte-s-icc-appearance-1607">READ: Drug war victims&#x27; kin, supporters mount anti-troll networks ahead of Duterte&#x27;s ICC appearance</a></div>Duterte also cited his age and current physique as reasons for his refusal to attend the 4-day proceeding.“I do not wish to follow these proceedings from outside the courtroom through the use of communication technology,” the 80-year old former chief executive said.“I do not wish to attend legal proceedings that I will forget within minutes,” he said.“I am old, tired and frail. I wish for this Court to respect my peace inside the cell it has placed me,” he said.“I have accepted the fact that I could die in prison, but those that desire this fate for me should know that my heart and soul will always remain with the Philippines,” he added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/13/icc-rejects-duterte-s-bid-to-appeal-fitness-ruling-1915">READ: ICC rejects Duterte’s bid to appeal fitness ruling</a></div>Despite these, Duterte underscored that he is confident that his Defense team can “challenge the sufficiency of the Prosecution’s evidence” on his behalf.“The claim that I oversaw a policy of extra-judicial killings is an outrageous lie,” his letter read.“These claims have been peddled by my political opponents for many years and as my nation knows, they are biased on the word of individuals whose credibility has been thoroughly discredited,” he said.“I am proud of my legacy and of my service to my countrymen around the world. Let no one doubt my love for and loyalty to the Filipino nation.”Under the Rome Statue’s Article 61, the person charged with a crime before the ICC must appear before a Pre-Trial Chamber “to confirm the charges on which the Prosecutor intends to seek trial.”The same rule also allows the Pre-Trial Chamber to hold a confirmation of charges hearing without the presence of the accused, but must be “upon the request of the Prosecutor or on its own motion” if the individual in question has “waived his or her right to be present” or “fled or cannot be found and all reasonable steps have been taken to secure his or her appearance before the Court.”“In that case, the person shall be represented by counsel where the Pre-Trial Chamber determines that it is in the interests of justice,” the rule read.Duterte’s letter was posted on the ICC’s website on Wednesday night, as an attachment to his camp’s formal request to waive his right to attend the hearing next week, but was eventually taken down after a few minutes.It was restored on the ICC website later in the night. The chamber has also yet to announce if the Prosecutor or the Pre-Trial Chamber I has agreed to Duterte’s request.The former President’s confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled on February 23.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has informed the International Criminal Court (ICC) that he wishes to waive his right to attend his confirmation of charges hearing next week, citing his continued refusal to recognize the chamber’s jurisdiction.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has informed the International Criminal Court (ICC) that he wishes to waive his right to attend his confirmation of charges hearing next week, citing his continued refusal to recognize the chamber’s jurisdiction.

Duterte waives appearance in ICC confirmation hearing, insists lack of jurisdiction

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Duterte waives appearance in ICC confirmation hearing, insists lack of jurisdiction

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 18, 2026 09:47 PM PHT

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Rodrigo Duterte

International Criminal Court

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