Camille Naredo

A person stands by two life-size cardboard cutouts of former Philippines' president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be questioned on charges of crimes against humanity, in The Hague on February 23, 2026. Simon Wohlfahrt, AFP/File

A person stands by two life-size cartboard cutouts of former Philippines' president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be questioned on charges of crimes against humanity, in The Hague on February 23, 2026. As the 80-year-old will not be present at the hearing after the court granted a defence request to waive his right to appear, despite judges ruling that he was fit to take part, the "confirmation of charges" hearing, taking place over four days, will determine whether there is enough evidence against Duterte to proceed to a trial. (Photo by Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP)

Article (news)

DUTERTE AT ICC

Carmelle Lacuata

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/1782207177249AFP__20260223__98LT4J3__v1__MidRes__NetherlandsPhilippinesIccPoliticsJusticeDemo - Copy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="A person stands by two life-size cardboard cutouts of former Philippines&#x27; president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be questioned on charges of crimes against humanity, in The Hague on February 23, 2026. Simon Wohlfahrt, AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A person stands by two life-size cardboard cutouts of former Philippines&#x27; president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be questioned on charges of crimes against humanity, in The Hague on February 23, 2026. <em>Simon Wohlfahrt, AFP/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- International Criminal Court Trial Chamber III presiding judge Joanna Korner on Tuesday issued a warning to the counsels involved in the case of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte against giving statements to the media amid the high public interest in the case.</p><p>During Tuesday’s second status conference, Korner warned the defense, prosecution, and victims&#x27; counsels not only to be courteous and respectful to the Chamber, but also to be careful in giving statements to the media.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/19/icc-sets-agenda-for-2nd-duterte-status-conference-2351">READ: ICC sets agenda for 2nd Duterte status conference</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/20/icc-sets-rules-and-timelines-for-rodrigo-duterte-trial-0746">READ: ICC sets rules and timelines for Rodrigo Duterte trial</a></div><p>Korner cited an incident involving former defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, who commented to the media on the decision of the ICC Appeals Chamber on the issue of jurisdiction, despite being previously warned by the Chamber.</p><p>“Regrettably, that reminder had no effect. On the 26th of April of this year, after the Appeals Chamber had made its decision on jurisdiction, Kaufman gave at least two interviews commenting on the decision. Some of those comments were his personal view of legal decisions made by the Court as a whole, and were on any showing, wholly inappropriate, moreso when made by a counsel in a case,” she said.</p><p>“In light of this previous history, this Trial Chamber feels it incumbent to repeat the reminder, or warning, to all counsel in the case, for the reasons that I have already expressed as to the importance of this trial,” Korner added.</p><p>Korner likewise reminded counsels that any concerns should be raised in court, and not through the media.</p><p>“We see no reason why counsel should feel it necessary to make any comment to the media. The appropriate form for counsel to raise matters is in the court room. Trials are not conducted by the court of public opinion but by this court during the course of the proceedings,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>REMINDER TO MEDIA</strong></div><p>Korner also gave a reminder to the media to ensure that it is accurately and fairly reporting the proceedings, and to avoid any speculation.</p><p>“This case has attracted, not surprisingly, a substantial amount of media interest in the Philippines in particular. That’s not, of course, only mainstream media, but, as is common these days, social media, and additionally, appears to have provoked suppliers of what is undoubtedly fake news, and obviously fake news,” she said.</p><p>“The first thing we need to emphasize is the need for the media to report to the public accurately and fairly what is said in court. And above all, to avoid speculation. That is important in any trial, and doubly important when it comes to a trial of serious allegations. Nothing can be more serious than this of criminal activity,” Korner added.</p><p>The Chamber ended the second status conference in less than 30 minutes, after they discussed deadlines and other matters related to the case.</p><p>The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I officially confirmed the charges against Duterte on April 23, 2026, leading to the rapid constitution of Trial Chamber III by the ICC Presidency on April 28 to handle the absolute merits of the case.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/27/duterte-s-icc-trial-to-start-november-30-2028">READ: Duterte&#x27;s ICC trial to start November 30</a></div><p>Duterte is facing three charges of crimes against humanity for the murder of thousands of alleged drug users and peddlers in police operations during his tenure as Davao City Mayor and as Philippine President. </p><p>The Philippines’ 16th President — who was arrested in Manila on March 2025 — is the first Asian to be hurled before the international tribunal.</p>

<p>International Criminal Court Trial Chamber III presiding judge Joanna Korner issued a warning to the counsels involved in the case of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte against giving statements to the media amid the public interest on the case.</p>

International Criminal Court Trial Chamber III presiding judge Joanna Korner issued a warning to the counsels involved in the case of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte against giving statements to the media amid the public interest on the case.

Amid high public interest, ICC judge issues warning to counsels vs. media statements

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Amid high public interest, ICC judge issues warning to counsels vs. media statements

Rose Carmelle Lacuata,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 23, 2026 05:34 PM PHT

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ICC

International Criminal Court

Rodrigo Duterte

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Trial Chamber III

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