Metro Manila, Philippines – The resetting of the International Criminal Court (ICC) hearing for the confirmation of charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte should not extend to next year, a lawyer for the drug war victims said on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
In a press briefing, Kristina Conti, ICC assistant to counsel, said she and the families of drug war victims are hoping that the hearing will push through in November or December.
On Sept. 8, the ICC pre-trial chamber ordered a limited postponement of the Sept. 23 hearing that will determine if evidence is enough to proceed to trial. The chamber said the decision was to accommodate the defense request for an indefinite adjournment, citing Duterte’s supposed deteriorating health, making him unfit for trial.
“Pwede rin malamang mag-weigh in ang mga biktima sa mismong schedule at kung sasabihin nila na nakakuha sila ng visa pero hanggang November lang eh maging factor sa reseting ng hearing,” said Conti, explaining that this could be raised to the court for consideration.
[Translation: The victims can also possibly weigh in on the actual schedule, and if they say that they were able to get a visa but it’s only valid until November, that could be a factor in resetting the hearing.]
Conti said they will not appeal the ICC decision because of limited time.
She expressed dismay to the chamber’s order, noting that the former president could have waived his attendance and be represented by his counsel, based on ICC rules.
“Huwag pong pasisilo. Huwag pong paloloko. Kailangan po ang desisyon ay maging batay sa facts,” she said.
[Translation: Don’t be fooled. The decision has to be based on facts.]
Meanwhile, families of drug war victims also viewed the postponement of the hearing as another delaying tactic.
“Walong taon o nine years na kami naghihintay. Sobrang tagal na pinaghandaan namin ito pero sa isang iglap eto lang mangyayari, postpone lang,” Llore Pasco, relative of two drug war victims said.
[Translation: We’ve been waiting for eight or nine years. We’ve prepared for this and just by a snap, they will postpone it.]
Conti said the postponement is not necessarily a win for the defense as this does not indefinitely pause the hearing, which was Duterte’s request.
She said this is an opportunity for the ICC to gather facts on Duterte’ s health and for the prosecution to possibly request a medical examination on the former president.
