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Metro Manila, Philippines –  The International Criminal Court said criticisms and attacks against the tribunal will not affect its handling of the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is set to stand trial for crimes against humanity. In an interview on The Newsmaker, ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said the court remains committed to its mandate despite political pressure. “I can assure you that attacks against the ICC do not affect the court’s commitment, our determination to fulfill the mandate of the ICC under the Rome Statute,” Maillet said. She emphasized that the court continues to operate based on international law and due process. “The ICC operates in strict accordance with the Rome Statute and the principles of fairness and due process,” she said. The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on April 23 confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity against Duterte, including murder and attempted murder, in connection with his administration’s…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court could begin in the coming months, depending on case developments, with court officials assuring that proceedings will be fair and impartial. In an interview on The Newsmaker, ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said the timeline for trial proceedings would depend on several factors, including the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses. “The duration of the trial really depends on the circumstances of the case, the complexity of the case, the number of witnesses that will be appearing,” Maillet said. She added that the schedule would ultimately be determined by the judges, noting that hearings may not be continuous. “The calendar will be set by the judges. So sometimes you will have weeks where there is recess,” she said. Maillet noted that cases handled by the ICC typically involve large-scale crimes requiring extensive…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives could vote on whether to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte as early as the second week of May, based on a timeline eyed by justice committee chairperson Gerville “Jinky” Luistro.  The committee is set to hold its next hearing on Wednesday, April 29, focusing on Duterte’s alleged online threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and members of his family. Luistro said panel members could decide by then whether to vote on determining probable cause, though they may also opt to extend deliberations or hold another hearing. “I haven’t heard from the members of the Justice Committee since the last hearing and I need to know their thoughts on this, kung ready na ba silang bumoto on the probable cause by the end of our hearing on April 29,” Luistro told NewsWatch Plus on Friday, April 29.  Asked about the timeline, Luistro said…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte and her lawyers’ media explanations on her alleged undeclared wealth have no weight in determining probable cause, the House justice committee chairperson said, noting her absence from its hearings. “I must say wala siyang [it has no] impact because they were not formally presented before the justice committee,” Rep. Gerville “Jinky” Luistro told NewsWatch Plus on Friday, April 24.  “Again, let me emphasize, the proper forum is the justice committee and not the media,” she added.  In a statement on Thursday, Duterte said she declared all her wealth in her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), disputing allegations raised in the impeachment complaints against her. During the committee hearing on Wednesday, lawmakers flagged that Duterte did not declare any cash on hand or in bank in her SALNs from 2019 onwards, while records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council showed billions…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Victims of the Duterte administration’s drug war see renewed hope for justice after the International Criminal Court confirmed charges of crimes against humanity against former president Rodrigo Duterte, their lawyers said. In a statement, ICC-listed counsels Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres described the ruling as a “big step” toward accountability for families of those killed in the anti-drug campaign. “The victims view the decision as the triumph of their right, under international law, to truth and justice for their murdered loved ones,” they said. They added that the confirmation of charges answers years of prayers for justice. They said the ruling marks the first milestone for victims seeking accountability before the international tribunal, noting that the case sends a strong message that even former heads of state can face prosecution. “The decision sends a strong message to the international community that the international criminal justice system…