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Advocates Philippines
Duterte's ICC Case Moves Forward As February Hearing Is Locked In
FILE
The International Criminal Court has officially set the next major step in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s case, with the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled to begin on February 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in The Hague.
The proceedings will be held before Pre-Trial Chamber I, composed of Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, along with Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera. Hearings are set for February 23, 24, 26, and 27, and will take place in Courtroom I.
During the hearings, the prosecution, the defense, and the legal representatives of the victims will deliver oral submissions, laying out their arguments before the judges. This stage is designed to assess whether the evidence presented is strong enough to support the charges filed against Duterte.
The chamber has also approved special arrangements to ensure Duterte’s participation in the proceedings, following recommendations from the ICC Detention Centre’s Medical Officer and an independent panel of experts. These adjustments include shorter hearing days, regular breaks, and limits on the total number of hours spent in court each day. The ICC Registry has been directed to make sure all these measures are implemented throughout the hearings.
The confirmation of charges hearing plays a decisive role in the ICC process. Judges will determine whether there are substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed the alleged crimes. If the charges are confirmed, the case will proceed to the trial phase under a Trial Chamber.
Duterte is suspected of crimes against humanity, specifically murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 2011 and March 2019 in connection with the government’s war on drugs. The ICC issued a secret arrest warrant in March 2025, which was later made public, and Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities and surrendered to the Court shortly afterward.
His initial appearance before the ICC took place on March 14, 2025. The confirmation hearing was originally scheduled for September 2025 but was postponed after the Defense questioned his fitness to participate in the proceedings. On January 26, 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled that Duterte was fit to take part, paving the way for the February hearings that could determine whether the case advances to full trial.
The proceedings will be held before Pre-Trial Chamber I, composed of Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, along with Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera. Hearings are set for February 23, 24, 26, and 27, and will take place in Courtroom I.
During the hearings, the prosecution, the defense, and the legal representatives of the victims will deliver oral submissions, laying out their arguments before the judges. This stage is designed to assess whether the evidence presented is strong enough to support the charges filed against Duterte.
The chamber has also approved special arrangements to ensure Duterte’s participation in the proceedings, following recommendations from the ICC Detention Centre’s Medical Officer and an independent panel of experts. These adjustments include shorter hearing days, regular breaks, and limits on the total number of hours spent in court each day. The ICC Registry has been directed to make sure all these measures are implemented throughout the hearings.
The confirmation of charges hearing plays a decisive role in the ICC process. Judges will determine whether there are substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed the alleged crimes. If the charges are confirmed, the case will proceed to the trial phase under a Trial Chamber.
Duterte is suspected of crimes against humanity, specifically murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 2011 and March 2019 in connection with the government’s war on drugs. The ICC issued a secret arrest warrant in March 2025, which was later made public, and Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities and surrendered to the Court shortly afterward.
His initial appearance before the ICC took place on March 14, 2025. The confirmation hearing was originally scheduled for September 2025 but was postponed after the Defense questioned his fitness to participate in the proceedings. On January 26, 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled that Duterte was fit to take part, paving the way for the February hearings that could determine whether the case advances to full trial.
Jan 29, 2026
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