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Advocates Philippines
De Lima Fires Back As Duterte's Own Words Raise Questions On Trial Fitness
Congress PH FILE
Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is challenging the latest claims from the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying his own signed waiver and declaration show he is mentally fit to stand trial before the International Criminal Court.
For De Lima, the issue is straightforward. If Duterte was able to understand the contents of the statement and knowingly affix his signature, then that is proof he is of sound mind. The legal effect of the document rests on the premise that he understood what he was signing.
She pointed out that this directly contradicts the argument raised by his lawyer that Duterte is unfit to stand trial because he is supposedly unable to give instructions for his defense. According to her, the very existence of the signed declaration is clear evidence that he is capable of defending himself.
De Lima also described the statement as both propaganda and legal strategy rolled into one.
On the propaganda side, she said it projects a defiant Duterte while appealing to emotions by suggesting he already expects to die in prison. On the legal side, she believes it is a calculated move to prevent possible damage in court. Duterte’s appearance, she suggested, might not help his case and could even hurt it if his counsel fails to control him before ICC judges, given his history of outbursts even in formal proceedings such as Senate and House hearings.
She added that Duterte’s non-appearance appears more like preemptive damage control by his lawyer rather than a genuine act of defiance.
De Lima also questioned the authorship of the statement, saying it does not sound like Duterte at all. She noted that during his presidency, he never denied the substance of his drug war. In fact, he repeatedly boasted about killing and ordering the killing of drug suspects.
For him to now deny that any state-sponsored mass executions happened, she said, is a stark reversal and an insult to Filipinos who endured the violence of the drug campaign. His past public statements and admissions, she stressed, form part of the evidence in the crimes against humanity case he now faces.
Ultimately, De Lima said the statement reveals that Duterte still refuses to accept accountability. By claiming that the ICC has no authority over him and that he was “kidnapped,” she said he shows a belief that no institution is above him.
Even while detained, she argued, Duterte appears to hold on to the idea that he is not bound by any law or moral standard other than his own.
For De Lima, the issue is straightforward. If Duterte was able to understand the contents of the statement and knowingly affix his signature, then that is proof he is of sound mind. The legal effect of the document rests on the premise that he understood what he was signing.
She pointed out that this directly contradicts the argument raised by his lawyer that Duterte is unfit to stand trial because he is supposedly unable to give instructions for his defense. According to her, the very existence of the signed declaration is clear evidence that he is capable of defending himself.
De Lima also described the statement as both propaganda and legal strategy rolled into one.
On the propaganda side, she said it projects a defiant Duterte while appealing to emotions by suggesting he already expects to die in prison. On the legal side, she believes it is a calculated move to prevent possible damage in court. Duterte’s appearance, she suggested, might not help his case and could even hurt it if his counsel fails to control him before ICC judges, given his history of outbursts even in formal proceedings such as Senate and House hearings.
She added that Duterte’s non-appearance appears more like preemptive damage control by his lawyer rather than a genuine act of defiance.
De Lima also questioned the authorship of the statement, saying it does not sound like Duterte at all. She noted that during his presidency, he never denied the substance of his drug war. In fact, he repeatedly boasted about killing and ordering the killing of drug suspects.
For him to now deny that any state-sponsored mass executions happened, she said, is a stark reversal and an insult to Filipinos who endured the violence of the drug campaign. His past public statements and admissions, she stressed, form part of the evidence in the crimes against humanity case he now faces.
Ultimately, De Lima said the statement reveals that Duterte still refuses to accept accountability. By claiming that the ICC has no authority over him and that he was “kidnapped,” she said he shows a belief that no institution is above him.
Even while detained, she argued, Duterte appears to hold on to the idea that he is not bound by any law or moral standard other than his own.
Feb 20, 2026
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