Tovic Salvador

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2o5U7ioq30U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>MANILA (UPDATED) — The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trial Chamber is holding its <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/30/icc-trial-chamber-sets-first-status-conference-in-duterte-case-on-may-27-1853">first status conference</a> for the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, where it is expected to set the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/28/icc-constitutes-trial-chamber-for-rodrigo-duterte-case-1621">start date of the trial</a>, among others.The status conference 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).Aside from setting the date of the start of the trial and deadlines leading to it, the Chamber is also expected to review anticipated evidence, and Rule 68 procedures, which allow the use of prior recorded testimony under specific safeguards.Speaking as proceedings began, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner stressed that the &quot;overriding objectives&quot; of a criminal trial are &quot;the acquittal and the conviction of the guilty...dealing with the prosecution and defense fairly, and recognizing the rights of the accused, respecting the interests of witnesses and respecting the interests of victims.&quot;She added that for the trial to move forward, there must be, first, an early identification of the real issues of the case... proper use of agreed fact between parties, presentation of evidence, whether disputed or not, must take place in the shortest and clearest way.&quot;She stressed that &quot;that is particularly important in this trial.&quot;Korner also reminded prosecutors &quot;to do things with expedition&quot;, referring to a delayed request in an unspecified motion.&quot;We’d like you to get on with it,&quot; she said.The Chamber is also expected to discuss 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, familiarization, and handling of vulnerable individuals. The chamber also noted that protocols adopted during pre-trial may apply.Duterte’s new legal team — Haynes and Kate Gibson — will represent him. Duterte will not be attending the status conference, after his legal team officially filed a public notification of his signed waiver before ICC Trial Chamber III on Monday, May 25. The notification was formally communicated to the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry under case number ICC-01/21-01/25, which handles the ongoing situation in the Republic of the Philippines. The status conference will be presided over by Korner, alongside Judge Keebong Paek and Judge Nicolas Guillou.<div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/22/icc-grants-duterte-s-waiver-to-skip-first-status-conference-sets-agenda-for-may-27-2324">ICC grants Duterte’s waiver to skip first status conference, sets agenda for May 27</a></div>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. 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.The only time he has been seen since his arrest and transfer to The Hague was at an initial appearance via videolink in March 2025.The Rome Statute, however, requires the presence of the accused during trial.<div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/rome-statute-requires-duterte-s-presence-at-icc-trial-1757">Rome Statute requires Duterte&#x27;s presence at ICC trial</a></div>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. That provision will be temporary and &quot;shall be taken only in exceptional circumstances after other reasonable alternatives have proved inadequate.&quot; Duterte&#x27;s looming trial comes as the court faces the most difficult time in its 24-year history, with the United States sanctioning key judges and officials after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israel&#x27;s leader over the Gaza war.

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trial Chamber III will be holding its first status conference for the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, where it is expected to set the start date of the trial, among others.

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trial Chamber III will be holding its first status conference for the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, where it is expected to set the start date of the trial, among others.

Start of Duterte trial on agenda of ICC status conference

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

World

Start of Duterte trial on agenda of ICC status conference

ABS-CBN News,

Published May 27, 2026 04:14 PM PHT

|

Updated May 27, 2026 04:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

International Criminal Court

Trial Chamber III

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.