Former President Rodrigo Duterte will face the International Criminal Court (ICC) on February 23 for the confirmation of charges, five months after the original September 23 schedule was postponed. The delay followed a request by Duterte’s lawyer, Nicolas Kaufman, who sought an indefinite adjournment, claiming Duterte was unfit for trial. However, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber 1 ruled on January 26 that Duterte is medically fit to participate, based on assessments by an independent panel of medical experts.
The Chamber appointed three specialists in forensic psychiatry, neuropsychology, and geriatric neurology, who concluded in December 2025 that Duterte could effectively exercise his legal rights. The February 23 hearing will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. If charges are confirmed, the case will advance to a Trial Chamber.
Duterte, who turns 81 in March, faces three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, linked to at least 76 deaths—19 during his tenure as Davao City mayor (2013–2016) and 57 as president (2016–2018). The ICC noted these cases represent a fraction of the thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings under his drug war.
Arrested on March 11 last year upon arrival from Hong Kong, Duterte was transferred to The Hague. His sole ICC appearance was via video on March 14, where he was informed of the charges. The Chamber denied his interim release request in September, a decision upheld in November.
Both prosecution and defense must submit written arguments by February 16. The ICC will issue further instructions to accommodate Duterte’s medical needs during proceedings.
