ICC postpones confirmation hearing in Duterte case

Metro Manila, Philippines - The International Criminal Court has postponed a key hearing in the crimes-against-humanity case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, granting time to consider his defense team’s claim that he is unfit to stand trial.

In a Sept. 8 decision, the Pre-Trial Chamber I said “a limited postponement of the hearing on the confirmation of charges was warranted to allow sufficient time to adjudicate the request and related matters.” The hearing was initially set for Sept. 23.

The chamber noted that “the purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged.”

Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera dissented, writing that “the request from the Defence should have been rejected” and that “the pre-trial proceedings should have continued, including the confirmation of charges hearing.”

Duterte, 80, was surrendered to the ICC in March after Philippine authorities executed an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and rape. Prosecutors allege he is individually responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator for the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines between 2011 and 2019.

The court has not yet set a new date for the hearing.