Malacañang said Thursday that former president Rodrigo Duterte appeared to be in good condition during his first in-person appearance before the International Criminal Court’s Trial Chamber III. Duterte attended the court’s third status conference on Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government observed that Duterte appeared physically well and suggested that he seemed to accept that the ICC proceedings would continue.
Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges related to alleged killings during his anti-drug campaign as Davao City mayor and later as president. The ICC case covers alleged crimes committed from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019.
During Wednesday’s status conference, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner asked prosecutors to consider reducing the number of witnesses and streamlining about 15,000 items of evidence to help move the case forward more efficiently.
The trial proceedings are expected to begin on Nov. 30, with hearings planned through the Christmas recess before resuming early next year.
Castro’s comments on Duterte’s condition reflect the Palace’s observation and are not an independent medical assessment.
