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Advocates Philippines
ICC Postpones Duterte Confirmation Hearing After Defense Cites Fitness Concerns
Photo credit: ICC
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has decided to postpone the start of the confirmation of charges hearing in the case of The Prosecutor vs. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, granting more time to assess a request from the former Philippine president’s defense team.
Originally set to begin on 23 September 2025, the hearing was pushed back by Pre-Trial Chamber I following arguments from Mr. Duterte’s lawyers that he is not fit to stand trial. The Chamber’s majority agreed that a limited postponement was necessary to properly evaluate the request and other related issues. Once those matters are resolved, a new date for the hearing will be announced.
However, the decision was not unanimous. Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera issued a dissenting opinion, stressing that the defense’s request should have been denied outright and that the pre-trial process, including the confirmation of charges hearing, should have continued as planned.
The confirmation of charges hearing is a critical step in ICC proceedings. It is designed to determine whether there is enough evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the accused committed the alleged crimes. If even one of the charges is confirmed, the case advances to the Trial Chamber, where the trial itself would unfold.
With the Chamber divided and the defense pushing for an indefinite adjournment, the spotlight now falls on how the ICC will balance Mr. Duterte’s health and fitness claims against the imperative to move the case forward.
Originally set to begin on 23 September 2025, the hearing was pushed back by Pre-Trial Chamber I following arguments from Mr. Duterte’s lawyers that he is not fit to stand trial. The Chamber’s majority agreed that a limited postponement was necessary to properly evaluate the request and other related issues. Once those matters are resolved, a new date for the hearing will be announced.
However, the decision was not unanimous. Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera issued a dissenting opinion, stressing that the defense’s request should have been denied outright and that the pre-trial process, including the confirmation of charges hearing, should have continued as planned.
The confirmation of charges hearing is a critical step in ICC proceedings. It is designed to determine whether there is enough evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the accused committed the alleged crimes. If even one of the charges is confirmed, the case advances to the Trial Chamber, where the trial itself would unfold.
With the Chamber divided and the defense pushing for an indefinite adjournment, the spotlight now falls on how the ICC will balance Mr. Duterte’s health and fitness claims against the imperative to move the case forward.
Sep 9, 2025
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