Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruling that former President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial, expressing hope that the proceedings would uncover the truth behind the killings linked to his administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Friday, Oct. 9, that the government hopes Duterte remains physically and mentally healthy enough to face the charges against him.
“Iyan naman din po ang nais natin. Una-una, ang nais lahat ng Pilipino ay maging maayos ang kalusugan ng dating Pangulong Duterte – maging mas malakas siya, mas maging malalim ang kanyang pag-iisip para maharap niya ang mga akusasyon na ibinabato sa kanya,” Castro said during a press briefing in Singapore.
[Translation: That is also what we want. First, we want the former president to be in good health, to become stronger and to have greater mental clarity so he can face the accusations against him.]
Castro said Duterte’s condition would be crucial in allowing him to give his account of the controversial drug war.
“Dahil sa kanyang maging malusog na pangangatawan, malusog na pag-iisip, doon lamang niya maaaring isiwalat ang katotohanan,” she said.
[Translation: Only with a healthy body and mind can he reveal the truth.]
The Palace official suggested that Duterte could eventually acknowledge alleged planned killings carried out under the government’s anti-drug campaign.
“At malamang ay mabanggit niya rin sa hearing na kapag panahon na niyang magsalita, ang pag-amin niya sa mga isinagawang planong pagpapatay para sa paglaban diumano sa droga,” Castro said.
[And perhaps, during the hearing, when it is his turn to speak, he may also acknowledge the planned killings carried out in the supposed campaign against illegal drugs.]
Castro did not provide evidence that Duterte intends to make such an admission.
The ICC announced Thursday, Oct. 8, that Trial Chamber III had found Duterte fit to stand trial in a decision dated Sept. 28.
The judges relied on the unanimous findings of an independent panel of experts, which concluded that the former president could understand the charges against him, follow the proceedings, comprehend the evidence and instruct his lawyers in preparing his defense.
The chamber also adopted measures to accommodate Duterte’s condition during the trial, including assessing hearing hours on a case-by-case basis.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity involving murder and attempted murder over killings allegedly committed during his anti-drug campaign as Davao City mayor and later as Philippine president.
The former president has been detained in The Hague since March 2025.
His trial is scheduled for Nov. 30, with the ICC expected to release further details on the proceedings closer to the date.
