Jonathan Frederic De Santos

A protester holds a life-size cartboard cutouts of former Philippines' president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on February 23, 2026. Simon Wohlfahrt, AFP/File 

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

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/178191199171117793453043111779345300952.png.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A protester holds a life-size cartboard cutouts of former Philippines&#x27; president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on February 23, 2026. <em>Simon Wohlfahrt, AFP/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has finalized the official framework and timeline for the upcoming trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, scheduling the formal reading of charges on November 30.</p><p>In a directive issued on June 19, Trial Chamber III outlined the procedural boundaries, evidence submission guidelines, and speaking limits that will govern the high-profile case.</p><p>Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, along with Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou, established these measures to ensure a &quot;fair and expeditious trial&quot; as the court prepares for its upcoming sessions.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DEADLINES FOR PARTIES</strong></div><p>The newly released directions set deadlines for both parties in the months leading up to the trial&#x27;s commencement.</p><p>The Prosecution has been ordered to file a comprehensive trial brief by August 31. </p><p>This brief must detail the core facts of the case, a final list of witnesses, a summary of anticipated testimonies, and a complete &quot;List of Evidence&quot; intended for presentation.</p><p>Following the prosecution&#x27;s filings, the defense will have until October 30 to formally submit its response.</p><p>According to the Chamber’s directive, the defense must outline &quot;the principal matters of fact or law on which issue is taken with the prosecution&quot; and clarify &quot;the general nature of the accused’s defense.&quot; </p><p>However, the court noted that this preliminary filing does not prevent Duterte’s legal team from raising additional issues as the trial progresses or as their own investigations unfold.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/19/icc-sets-agenda-for-2nd-duterte-status-conference-2351">ICC sets agenda for 2nd Duterte status conference</a></div><p>The Chamber also detailed the structure for opening statements, granting the prosecution the six hours it requested to present its initial case. </p><p>The Common Legal Representatives of Victims (CLRVs)—who may file their own separate trial brief by September—have been allocated three hours. </p><p>While Duterte&#x27;s defense team has not yet provided an estimated duration for its opening statement, the court ruled that all opening remarks must be delivered efficiently.</p><p>&quot;An opening statement must be presented all at one time,&quot; the judges wrote, stressing legal teams &quot;are not permitted to reserve unused time from their opening statements and continue them later during the trial.&quot; </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PUBLIC SESSIONS FOR TRANSPARENCY</strong></div><p>To maintain transparency, the Chamber directed that opening statements be presented entirely in public sessions.</p><p>The Chamber opted to recognize the formal submission of documentary, digital, or physical evidence “without a prior ruling on the admissibility of the evidence.”</p><p>Instead, the judges intend to &quot;ultimately assess the relevance, probative value and potential prejudice of the evidence.&quot; </p><p>The order of questioning during the trial will begin with the party calling the witness, followed by the victims&#x27; legal representatives, and concluding with the non-calling party.</p><p>The Chamber highlighted the distinct boundaries separating the victims&#x27; representatives from the prosecution.</p><p>Because the prosecution exclusively bears the burden of proof for the alleged crimes, the questioning by the victims&#x27; representatives will be strictly &quot;limited to matters relevant to the personal interests of the victims,&quot; such as personal harms observed or suffered, and future reparations.</p><p>Duterte&#x27;s defense team retains the definitive right to be the last to question any witness. </p><p>If the non-calling party intends to challenge the truthfulness of a witness on a major issue, the judges specified that &quot;this challenge must be included in the questioning of the witness.&quot;</p><div><a href="http://ICC chamber orders medical exam for Duterte ahead of November trial">ICC chamber orders medical exam for Duterte ahead of November trial</a></div><p>To protect sensitive information without disrupting courtroom momentum, the Chamber implemented a text-based system for unexpected in-court redactions. </p><p>Legal counsel must submit redaction requests in writing to courtroom staff within 12 minutes of the information being disclosed.</p><p>The opposing party then has a strict four-minute window to object. If no objection is raised, the redaction is automatically approved.</p><p>“Insofar as possible, witness testimony shall be given in public. If in-court protective measures are in place for a witness, parties and participants shall at all times be cautious and ensure that questions asked during public sessions do not compromise these measures,” the directive explains.  </p><p>Lawyers are further instructed to group identifying or sensitive questions together to minimize the need for private or closed sessions.</p><p>Similarly, other questions necessitating recourse to private or closed session are to be grouped as much as possible.</p><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/fvO-3RjHPxE?si=7hApiu5BGu0oOBaz" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) has finalized the official framework and timeline for the upcoming trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, scheduling the formal reading of charges to take place on November 30, 2026.</p>

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has finalized the official framework and timeline for the upcoming trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, scheduling the formal reading of charges to take place on November 30, 2026.

ICC sets rules and timelines for Rodrigo Duterte trial

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ICC sets rules and timelines for Rodrigo Duterte trial

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 20, 2026 07:46 AM PHT

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ICC

Duterte

The Hague

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