Joselito Malig

ICC grants Duterte’s waiver to skip first status conference, sets agenda for May 27

Article (news)

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trial Chamber III has set the first status conference for the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte on May 27, 2026.This will be divided into three sessions; 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. (Netherlands time).The agenda for the first status conference covers critical trial preparations such as: setting the commencement date of the trial and deadlines leading up to it, and reviewing anticipated evidence, such as the volume of witnesses, documentary materials, use of expert testimony, audio-visual links, and Rule 68 procedures, which allow the use of prior recorded testimony under specific safeguards.The chamber will also address agreed facts under Rule 69, language and interpretation needs, and ongoing disclosure obligations, including the timing and volume of evidence, transcription and translation issues, and protective measures for witnesses.Other agenda items include the prosecution’s assessment of potential additional incidents, provision of trial briefs, motions requiring resolution before trial, victims’ participation deadlines, and protocols for witness preparation, familiarisation, and handling of vulnerable individuals. The chamber also noted that protocols adopted during pre-trial may apply.Duterte’s new legal team, Peter Haynes KC and Kate Gibson, will represent him. His former lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman withdrew earlier this month, with the chamber assuring that replacement lawyers were informed of all deadlines.On May 21, the defense informed the judges that Duterte “wishes to waive his right to appear before the Chamber on 27 May 2026 and fully trusts his legal team to address the procedural matters listed on the status conference agenda.” The Chamber authorised the waiver but ordered the Defence to submit a signed request from Duterte by May 25.The judges also rejected a request from victims’ legal representative, Gilbert Andres, to attend remotely, citing security concerns. They noted that “it is not possible to have a secure link with the legal representative in case the use of private sessions would be required.”The chamber said the conference will be public but may shift to private sessions “to avoid disclosure of sensitive information regarding witness protection and security issues.”

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trial Chamber III has set the first status conference for the case against former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte on May 27, 2026.

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trial Chamber III has set the first status conference for the case against former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte on May 27, 2026.