ICC junks Duterte camp’s bid to remove 2 judges in jurisdiction ruling

Metro Manila, Philippines - The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber dismissed the request of former President Rodrigo Durete’s camp to remove two judges from ruling on the case’s issue of jurisdiction.

Duterte’s team requested the removal of judges Reine Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera, who were among the three judges that signed the ICC warrant of arrest against the former leader.

According to the decision, only ICC judges can request for their removal in cases.

“A judge’s excusal from the exercise of a function may only be sought by the concerned judge directly before the Presidency, as opposed to disqualification for which the Prosecution or the person being investigated or prosecuted may submit a request before the Presidency,” the decision released on Wednesday, May 7 reads.

As stated in ICC rules, none of the parties in a case may make a preventive request to excuse a specific judge from participating in a ruling.

ICC said the Duterte camp’s request “lacks procedural propriety,” meaning it is in conflict with the trial process.

ICC dismissed the request as “in limine,” a phrase used to refer to a matter that is addressed as a preliminary issue.

The chamber has set the confirmation of charges hearing for Sept. 23, though the date may change depending on the progress of the proceedings.

Duterte is in The Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison and is facing charges on alleged crimes against humanity for his administration's war on drugs.