International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber I presiding judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc (center) and judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou (left) and María del Socorro Flores Liera during the first pre-trial hearing on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war case in The Hague, Netherlands on Friday (March 14, 2025). With the start of the ICC proceedings against Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity, Malacañang said on Saturday (March 15) that justice has started to roll down. (Photo courtesy of ICC)
The wheels of justice are now in motion following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) pre-trial proceedings on former Philippine president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s drug war case, Malacañang stated on Saturday.
“This is what we call a fair trial,” said Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro in response to the ICC’s handling of Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial anti-drug campaign.
“By witnessing former president Duterte’s first appearance before the ICC, everyone can see how justice is beginning to take its course,” she added.
Duterte made his initial appearance via video link on Friday night (Manila time) due to the long travel and significant time difference from the Philippines. The ICC has scheduled the confirmation of charges hearing for September 23.
ICC rejects plea to delay proceedings
Castro noted that the ICC denied a request to postpone Duterte’s first appearance, emphasizing that it was not yet the stage for presenting his defense or evidence.
“The judge also highlighted that the court’s medical assessment confirmed former president Duterte is mentally sound and fit to proceed, having undergone further evaluations at the detention facility,” she explained.
During the pre-trial, Duterte’s legal counsel, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, argued that the former president had been denied access to legal remedies in the Philippines. Medialdea also cited Duterte’s “debilitating medical issues,” asserting that his arrest and transfer to the ICC amounted to a “gross abuse of process.”
Duterte’s rights upheld, ICC asserts
Contrary to claims made by Duterte’s camp, Castro pointed out that the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber confirmed the former president had been afforded his fundamental rights as a suspect facing charges of crimes against humanity, particularly murder.
“The Court affirmed, based on the registry’s report, that Duterte had been informed of his rights under Articles 66 and 67 of the Rome Statute, including the presumption of innocence. He was also made aware of the arrest warrant in English,” she stated.
Duterte faces charges over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his violent anti-drug campaign, which took place between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019—covering his tenure as Davao City mayor and later as Philippine president.
After arriving in The Hague, Netherlands, on Wednesday night (Manila time), Duterte was transferred to the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, where he remains in custody as the case progresses.