Marilyn Cahatol

Families of alleged extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims lit candles and chanted calls for justice at the University of the Philippines Diliman on February 27, 2026, to mark the last day of the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

War on Drugs victims - Protest

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/177917235760220260227-ejk-families-protest-candle-lighting-MT8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families of alleged extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims lit candles and chanted calls for justice at the University of the Philippines Diliman on February 27, 2026, to mark the last day of the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors estimate they may rely on evidence from around 60 to 70 witnesses at the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, with 25 to 30 expected to testify viva voce or orally in court.</p><p>In submissions to the ICC Trial Chamber III, the prosecution said its direct examination of witnesses could take around 175 to 200 hours, equivalent to more than eight full 24-hour days. </p><p>It said around 13,284 items in its evidence collection remained pending review and disclosure where necessary. This is on top of the 5,177 items previously disclosed to the other parties in the case.</p><p>The prosecution said it expects to complete all necessary requirements and deliverables by September 30, 2026, including investigations, disclosure obligations, transcription and translation of evidence, witness-related applications, expert reports, and its trial brief. It proposed that trial begin on Monday, November 30, 2026.</p><p>The prosecution said the proposed schedule would give the parties two months before the start of trial and would make Duterte’s case “one of the fastest” to proceed to trial after the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/icc-confirms-all-charges-vs-duterte-commits-him-to-trial-1649">confirmation of charges</a>, except for the Al Mahdi case, which involved a plea agreement.</p><p>But Duterte’s defense opposed setting a trial date at this stage, saying the issue should first depend on a fresh determination of the former president’s <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/16/duterte-s-new-icc-lawyer-seeks-another-fitness-review-1843">fitness to stand trial.</a></p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/16/duterte-s-new-icc-lawyer-seeks-another-fitness-review-1843">Duterte&#x27;s new ICC lawyer seeks another fitness review</a></div><p>“Whilst a determination of Mr Duterte’s competence was undertaken during the pre-trial phase on the basis of written reports, his condition continues to deteriorate and will need more fully to be reviewed before any trial may commence,” the defense said.</p><p>The defense said it intends to request that Duterte be examined by independent experts for the trial phase, and that those experts be examined before the court. It also asked the Chamber to establish a mechanism for periodic review of Duterte’s fitness throughout the trial phase if proceedings continue.</p><p>The defense also argued that, should Duterte be found fit, it would still need sufficient time to prepare after the prosecution completes disclosure of its final witness list, final evidence list, and all materials it intends to rely on at trial.</p><p>It cited prior ICC practice where trial proceedings began “no less than three months” after notification of the prosecution’s final witness and evidence lists. It also noted that other ICC cases had longer preparation periods, including around 14 months in Yekatom and Ngaïssona, 15 months in Ntaganda, 17 months in Bemba, and 19 months in Gbagbo and Blé Goudé.</p><p>The defense also asked to receive a provisional witness list with summaries of anticipated testimony “at the earliest opportunity,” and said any fresh determination of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial should hear viva voce evidence.</p><p>Victims’ lawyers, meanwhile, pushed for the trial to start earlier, saying victims have “consistently conveyed their wish for the trial to start as soon as practicable” and have voiced “firm opposition to any delay.” They said it would be feasible for the trial to begin at the start of September 2026.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/17/delays-possible-in-duterte-s-icc-case-following-haynes-appeal-says-conti-2025">Delays possible in Duterte&#x27;s ICC case following Haynes&#x27; appeal, says Conti</a></div><p>The Common Legal Representatives of Victims asked the Chamber to allow Tagalog and Cebuano interpretation during the trial, saying victims are more comfortable communicating in these languages, especially when recounting traumatic experiences.</p><p>They asked that victims be allowed to submit applications to participate in the proceedings until the end of the victims’ case, or at least until the close of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence.</p><p>All parties in the case were ordered by Trial Chamber III to submit their observations ahead of the first status conference scheduled on May 27, where judges are expected to tackle trial scheduling, disclosure issues, witness procedures, and other pre-trial matters.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/2/what-will-happen-when-icc-trial-chamber-convenes-for-status-conference-in-duterte-case-1554">What will happen when ICC Trial Chamber convenes for status conference in Duterte case?</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iGcfU9oVqTM?si=oQRnImkFoivuX-xF" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors estimate they may rely on evidence from around 60 to 70 witnesses at the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, with 25 to 30 expected to testify viva voce or orally in court.</p>

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors estimate they may rely on evidence from around 60 to 70 witnesses at the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, with 25 to 30 expected to testify viva voce or orally in court.

ICC prosecution eyes 20-30 witnesses to testify orally in Duterte trial; Over 13,000 evidence still pending review

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ICC prosecution eyes 20-30 witnesses to testify orally in Duterte trial; Over 13,000 evidence still pending review

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 19, 2026 02:45 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

Nicholas Kaufman

ICC

Pre-Trial Chamber

Appeals Chamber

War on Drugs

Crimes Against Humanity

tokhang

EJK

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