News

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…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The International Criminal Court flagged possible interpretation and translation challenges in the upcoming trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing the limited pool of qualified interpreters for Filipino languages expected to be used by witnesses. During the first status conference before ICC Trial Chamber III in The Hague, officials from the ICC Registry told the chamber that interpretation logistics remain one of the operational concerns ahead of trial preparations. The Registry said the court is already working to identify and recruit interpreters capable of handling Filipino-language testimony and legal interpretation requirements. “There are not many interpreters available for some of the languages involved,” Registry officials told the chamber. The Registry explained that interpretation work in ICC proceedings requires highly specialized personnel familiar not only with Filipino languages but also with legal terminology, courtroom procedures, and simultaneous interpretation standards used in international tribunals. Officials also noted that…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Scheduling a trial date for former President Rodrigo Duterte has become complicated due to concerns over his health, age, and the large volume of evidence expected to be presented before the International Criminal Court. During the first status conference before ICC Trial Chamber III in The Hague, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner repeatedly stressed the need for both the prosecution and defense to streamline evidence and narrow disputed issues to avoid unnecessarily lengthy proceedings. “There are pressing reasons… which mandate that we really should start this trial as soon as possible, which is basically the health of your client,” Korner told Duterte’s lead defense counsel Peter Haynes. The judge said the chamber expects the presentation of evidence to be kept “to the minimum possible,” especially given Duterte’s medical condition and age. “It really is incumbent because of the health of the accused, that the evidence is kept…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Minority senators walked out of the plenary session on Tuesday evening, May 26, in protest of what they described as the railroading of an amendment to the rules to allow senators to participate remotely in plenary sessions. ”Let’s go, let’s go,” Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri was heard urging allies as they exited the Senate session hall while Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano was still speaking on the floor.  The tension escalated when Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned the majority’s urgency in tackling and voting on the controversial motion. “Is it because, Madam Chair, they’re in a hurry because of news reports that probably two of our colleagues might land in jail this weekend?” Tulfo said.  He added: “Is that the reason why they have to have this inserted, this Section 41C, para makaboto po kung sino man ‘yung makukulong dahil sa announcement ng ombudsman na may…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) is set to file obstruction of justice complaints against Senator Robinhood Padilla and several others for allegedly helping Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa evade authorities earlier this month. In a statement released Wednesday, the CIDG said its investigation revealed that dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate premises at dawn on May 14 was not a simple ride with Padilla, but part of what investigators described as a carefully planned operation intended to avoid detection. “When individuals actively interfere in an arrest or assist in the evasion of criminal offenders to avoid prosecution, it undermines the justice system and compromises public order,” the CIDG said. The complaint will be referred to the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice for an alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829, the law penalizing obstruction of justice.