Metro Manila, Philippines – The International Criminal Court has scheduled the opening of the crimes against humanity trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 30, 2026.
ICC Trial Chamber III announced the date on Wednesday following status conferences involving prosecutors, Duterte’s defense team, and lawyers representing victims.
“The Chamber is prepared to accede to the prosecution’s application of the 30th of November as the start of trial,” Presiding Judge Joanna Korner said.
The chamber, however, said the final structure of proceedings would still depend on updated medical findings regarding Duterte’s fitness to stand trial.
“We have to wait for the report on the accused’s fitness,” Korner said.
The tribunal earlier ordered a fresh medical evaluation of Duterte as judges assess the possible impact of his age and health condition on trial proceedings.
“At the moment it’s a bit difficult to set a schedule for trial until we’ve had an up-to-date report,” Korner earlier said during the status conference.
The ICC said proceedings are expected to continue daily until the court’s Christmas recess.
“The trial will run on a daily basis until the judicial recess,” Korner said.
“The Chamber would obviously like to sit subject to witness problems five days a week,” she added.
Korner said adjustments may still be made if Duterte cannot physically attend court proceedings every day because of health concerns.
“If we have to have a day for the accused not to be in court each week, that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be a sitting day because we can use that day to deal with any administrative matters or any legal arguments,” she said.
The chamber also imposed strict timelines on prosecutors ahead of trial.
“The prosecution provisional list of witnesses and evidence by 29th June,” Korner said.
“Trial brief final list of witnesses and evidence, 31st August,” she added.
Judges also set Aug. 31 as the deadline for prosecutors if they intend to add new incidents to the case.
“The deadline 31st August applies if you wish to add new incidents,” Korner said.
The chamber likewise warned against excessive and repetitive evidence presentation.
“Review your evidence to make sure that we avoid having repetitive, irrelevant or over-voluminous,” Korner told prosecutors.
The ICC Registry was also instructed to prepare interpretation arrangements for the opening statements because of intense public interest in the Philippines.
“I think it’s important that opening statements can be understood by those in the Philippines,” Korner said.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity linked to killings during his anti-drug campaign.
