Jonathan Frederic De Santos

A man holds a portrait of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be appearing, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Nicolas Tucat, AFP/File

Article (news)

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/17769378103211769440707480AFP__20250314__372B2JW__v1__Preview__NetherlandsPhilippinesJustice.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A man holds a portrait of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be appearing, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. <em>Nicolas Tucat, AFP/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte will have to be present during trial of his crimes against humanity case, in which Pre-Trial Chamber I has confirmed the charges against him.</p><p>According to a briefer issued by the ICC, the Rome Statute that created the court requires the presence of the accused during trial.</p><p>Duterte appeared before Pre-Trial Chamber I in March 2025, but has chosen not to participate in subsequent hearings, including the confirmation of charges proceedings in February.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/icc-confirms-all-charges-vs-duterte-commits-him-to-trial-1649">Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm charges<br/></a></div><p>Under the Rome Statute, the Trial Chamber &quot;may remove the accused and shall make provision for him or her to observe the trial and instruct counsel from outside the courtroom, through the use of communications technology&quot; in case they disrupt the trial.</p><p>That provision will be temporary and &quot;shall be taken only in exceptional circumstances after other reasonable alternatives have proved inadequate.&quot;</p><p>Duterte has been in ICC custody since March 2025 for a crimes against humanity case related to his administration&#x27;s violent &quot;war on drugs&quot; and for similar alleged killings while he was in the local government of Davao City. </p><p>Duterte has said in the past that he is responsible for the anti-narcotics policies but not for individual deaths in the campaign, where law enforcement has acknowledged more than 6,000 deaths in operations.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/28/duterte-denies-responsibility-for-death-of-kian-delos-santos-2013">Duterte denies responsibility for death of Kian Delos Santos<br/></a></div><p>The ICC said judges have authorized 539 victims to participate in the proceedings.</p><p>They will be represented by Filipino lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres and by lawyer Paolina Massidda of the ICC&#x27;s Office of Public Counsel for Victims.</p><p>It added the ICC Office of the Prosecutor&#x27;s investigation into the &quot;drug war&quot; killings &quot;continues to pursue investigative activities and engage with relevant stakeholders&quot; even as trial is expected to commence.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/pdp-laban-official-blasts-icc-decision-upholding-jurisdiction-over-duterte-1318">PDP Laban official blasts ICC decision upholding jurisdiction over Duterte<br/></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHAT&#x27;S NEXT?</strong></div><p>With the Pre-Trial Chamber&#x27;s decision to confirm charges, the ICC Presidency will constitute a Trial Chamber to handle the case.</p><p>&quot;Promptly after it is constituted, the Trial Chamber will hold status conferences, confer with the parties and participants in order to set the date of the commencement of the trial and adopt the procedures necessary to facilitate the fair and expeditious conduct of the proceedings,&quot; the ICC said.</p><p>Among the preliminary issues that the Trial Chamber will rule on are the timing and disclosure of evidence. </p><p>The ICC noted that parties are not &quot;automatically entitled&quot; to appeal the decision confirming the charges but &quot;can request authorization from the Pre-Trial Chamber to do so.&quot;</p><p>Duterte may also request interim release when trial begins, the ICC said.</p><p>&quot;In that case, it will be for the ICC judges to decide whether to grant it or not.&quot;</p>

<p>Duterte appeared before Pre-Trial Chamber I in March 2025, but has chosen not to participate in subsequent hearings, including the confirmation of charges proceedings in February.</p>

Duterte appeared before Pre-Trial Chamber I in March 2025, but has chosen not to participate in subsequent hearings, including the confirmation of charges proceedings in February.

Rome Statute requires Duterte's presence at ICC trial

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Rome Statute requires Duterte's presence at ICC trial

Jonathan de Santos,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 23, 2026 05:57 PM PHT

|

Updated April 23, 2026 07:30 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

International Criminal Court

Rome Statute

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.