11 hours Ago By Jairo Bolledo
MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte , arrested over crimes against humanity, is set to make his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, March 14, the tribunal announced on March 13 (Hague time). Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte, suspected of murder as a crime against humanity allegedly committed in the #Philippines , will appear for the first time before the #ICC on Friday 14 March at 14:00 (CET). How to attend, watch online and more info ⤵️ https://t.
co/WpUuedFWvk — Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 13, 2025 Duterte will face the all-women judges of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I at 2 pm Hague time (9 pm Manila time). He made history by becoming the first former Philippine president and first former Asian head of state to be arrested by an international tribunal over crimes against humanity, after he was nabbed through the Interpol on March 11 (Manila time). He was turned over to ICC custody on March 12.
In the initial hearing, the three women judges — Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera — will check Duterte’s identity and the language they can use so he can follow the court proceedings. He will also be formally informed of the charges against him and his rights under the ICC Rome Statute. The hearing will be in English and French and can be followed on the tribunal’s website, with a 30-minute delay, said the ICC.
The court added that images of the hearing may be viewed on the official ICC YouTube Channel . Must Read Who are the all-women ICC judges who ordered Duterte’s arrest? Although the Philippines is not an ICC member-state, the ICC coursed its warrant through the Interpol, which implemented it. The Philippines was obliged to cooperate with the Interpol, so it acknowledged the body’s request to arrest Duterte, whose drug war killed nearly 30,000 people, based on human rights groups tallies.
After his March 11 arrest, Duterte was immediately flown to the ICC headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, and arrived the next day. On Thursday, the ICC confirmed that Duterte was already at the ICC detention center , dispelling the allegation of Duterte’s lawyer, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, that his former principal was not inside the facility. What happens next? During the first appearance hearing, the tribunal may set the date to begin the confirmation of charges hearing.
This is not yet part of the trial, but rather a pre-trial hearing, where Prosecutor Karim Khan must present sufficient evidence for the case against Duterte to go to trial, based on the ICC process. During this time, Duterte may object to his charges, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and may also present his own evidence. “The confirmation of charges hearing is held in the presence of the Prosecution, the person being prosecuted, and his or her counsel, as well as the representative of the victims.
As provided by article 61 of the Statute, the suspect can waive his or her right to be present at this hearing,” said the ICC. #ICCProcess What are the steps of the #ICC process? As an international court, the ICC's legal process may function differently from that in your national jurisdiction. Learn more ➡️ https://t.
co/gozbMSgLSO pic.twitter.com/yxgUTDJA8h — Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 12, 2025 If the tribunal confirms the charges, the case may proceed to trial.
In case the chamber declines to confirm the charges, the prosecution may still request for confirmation of charges to present additional evidence. – Rappler.com.
