Metro Manila, Philippines – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted prosecutors’ request to freeze any money seized from former President Rodrigo Duterte following his arrest and transfer to The Hague in March 2025, according to newly released public court filings.
The filings also show prosecutors are seeking access to other items taken into the custody of the ICC Registry after Duterte’s arrest. The amount in the freeze order was not disclosed in the public redacted documents.
In a response dated June 26, Duterte’s defense lawyer opposed parts of the prosecution’s request, arguing that prosecutors failed to explain why some of the seized materials are relevant to the crimes against humanity charges before the court.
“The Defence respectfully requests that Trial Chamber III reject the Prosecution’s Request,” Peter Haynes wrote in the filing.
The defense also argued that prosecutors sought access to the materials too late, noting that the Office of the Prosecutor had been aware since March 14, 2025 that the Registry was holding the items but only sought possession after the confirmation of charges proceedings.
“Ordinarily, it would be obliged to investigate such allegedly highly relevant material by the time of the confirmation hearing. In fact, it did not even seek to take possession of the items until after the confirmation proceedings,” the filing said.
Haynes said ordering the Registry to freeze any money in its custody was unnecessary because the funds, if any, were already under the Registry’s control.
“An order from the Trial Chamber to the Registry to freeze any money within the Obtained Items will have no practical impact upon the existing state of affairs,” the defense said.
“The money (if any) is in the possession of the Registry and will remain so, whether or not the Registry is subject to any order from the Trial Chamber to ‘freeze’ it.”
The public filings do not identify the items sought by prosecutors, with portions of the requests remaining redacted.
Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity over alleged killings linked to his anti-drug campaign as president and as mayor of Davao City. His trial will begin on Nov. 30.
