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Pre-trial Chamber judges, led by Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc, Reine Alapini-Gansou, and Socorro Flores Liera, during the first session of the confirmation of charges hearings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on February 23, 2026. ICC Handout

Article (news)

Confirmation of Charges opened on 23 February 2026

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177209141960520260223-icc-duterte-judges-motoc-gansou-liera-HO-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pre-trial Chamber judges, led by Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc, Reine Alapini-Gansou, and Socorro Flores Liera, during the first session of the confirmation of charges hearings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on February 23, 2026. <em>ICC Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has pushed back against allegations by Filipino lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 supposed former Marines of &quot;collusion&quot; and &quot;conspiracy&quot; between ICC prosecutors and the Philippine government.</p><p>In a written response to ABS-CBN News, the OTP underscored that its investigations are conducted independently and are guided by strict evidentiary standards under the court’s legal framework.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/duterte-s-filipino-lawyers-claim-icc-confirmation-hearings-are-political-1046">Duterte’s Filipino lawyers claim ICC confirmation hearings are ‘political’</a></div><p>&quot;The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court independently collects information relevant to its investigations, identifies the individuals from whom it collects witness statements, and assesses the credibility, reliability, and relevance of all sources of information it requests and receives,&quot; the OTP said.</p><p>&quot;It examines incriminating and exonerating evidence equally. The disclosure of information in the cases before the Court is strictly regulated by the ICC legal framework and under the control of independent ICC Judges.&quot;</p><p>The statement comes after accusations circulated claiming ICC prosecutors were &quot;wined and dined&quot; by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV between 2024 and 2025.</p><p>The allegations also claimed that the prosecution relied only on witnesses provided by Trillanes.</p><p>The OTP declined to comment on specific operational details, citing longstanding policy. It explained that this practice is meant to safeguard the integrity of its work and the safety of those involved. It also stressed that the identities of witnesses, staff, and partner institutions remain confidential during investigations.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/duterte-at-the-icc">Duterte at ICC: News and Updates</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>OTP HAS ITS OWN BUDGET</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Addressing insinuations about possible external influence, the OTP pointed to the court&#x27;s budgetary safeguards, adding that mission and prosecution costs are strictly managed internally.</p><p>&quot;OTP activities are funded through the Court’s budget approved by the ICC Assembly of States Parties and subject to established oversight mechanisms. The costs related to OTP prosecutions and investigative activities, including mission expenses, are fully covered by this budget, and managed strictly by the Office in an independent and transparent manner, and in accordance with ICC financial rules and regulations.&quot;</p><p>The ICC has been investigating the Philippines in the context of widespread killings that resulted from former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. It opened a preliminary examination on February 8, 2018.</p><p>In a press conference Tuesday, 18 individuals claiming to be ex-Marines, with Baligod as their lawyer, leveled several accusations against the Marcos Jr. administration, including allegations that funds were funneled to politicians such as former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Co.</p><p>The group further claimed that a portion of the funds was passed on to Trillanes for ICC prosecutors.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/lawyer-refers-affidavit-of-ex-marines-vs-lawmakers-gov-t-officials-to-ombudsman-1349">Lawyer refers affidavit of &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; vs lawmakers, gov&#x27;t officials to Ombudsman</a></div><p>The Philippine Navy has since clarified that four of the 18 men were never part of the Philippine Marine Corps. It also said that the &quot;majority&quot; of the men had been &quot;dishonorably discharged from service&quot; while some are retired personnel.</p><p>The Palace, for its part, dismissed the allegations as <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/25/palace-dismisses-new-bagmen-claim-as-lousy-scriptwriting-1539">&quot;lousy scriptwriting.&quot;</a></p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/supporters-of-drug-war-victims-draw-lessons-from-edsa-people-power-1221">Supporters of drug war victims draw lessons from EDSA People Power to weather ICC proceedings</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>IMEE RESOLUTION FOR HEARINGS REFERRED TO BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Duterte ally Sen. Imee Marcos on Wednesday filed a resolution for the Senate to hold hearings on the allegations made by Baligod and the supposed former Marines.</p><p>That resolution has been referred to  the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations or the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.</p><p>Also called the Blue Ribbon Committee, the panel has primary jurisdiction on alleged irregularities by government officials &quot;and investigation of any matter of public interest on its own initiative or brought to its attention by any member of the Senate.&quot; <strong>— with RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News<br/></strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><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/MafAl0LG6Pg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has pushed back against allegations by Filipino lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 supposed former Marines of "collusion" and "conspiracy" between ICC Prosecutors and the Philippine government.</p>

The International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has pushed back against allegations by Filipino lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 supposed former Marines of "collusion" and "conspiracy" between ICC Prosecutors and the Philippine government.

ICC prosecution rejects claims of improper influence, stresses independence of Duterte probe

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ICC prosecution rejects claims of improper influence, stresses independence of Duterte probe

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 26, 2026 04:02 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

Nicholas Kaufman

ICC

Pre-Trial Chamber

Confirmation Of Charges

Appeals Chamber

War on Drugs

Crimes Against Humanity

Tokhang

EJK

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