Judges at the International Criminal Court have authorized both the defense team of former president Rodrigo Duterte and the prosecution to supplement their respective evidence lists ahead of next week’s confirmation of charges proceedings linked to his anti-drug campaign.
In a ruling dated February 20, 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I approved “the Defence Second Request for Leave to Add Items to its List of Evidence’ and the Prosecution’s request to add fourteen items to its list of evidence.”
The latest decision followed earlier approvals issued on February 10, when the Chamber permitted each side to revise and expand their submissions. Updated versions of those lists were subsequently filed on February 13.
Further adjustments were sought days later. On February 18, the defense asked for “leave to add 108 items […] to its List of Evidence”, explaining that “the Prosecution has confirmed […] in inter partes communications that the addition of these [i]tems to the Defence List of Evidence causes it no prejudice.”
The prosecution signaled it would not challenge that move, stating “it does not object to the admission of the material listed in […] Annex A of the [Defence’s Request]’; and requested the Chamber “to admit […] fourteen items to the Prosecution’s List of Evidence’, clarifying that ‘[i]n the course of the inter partes communications, the Defence agreed that they would not Object”.
After reviewing the submissions, the Chamber cited the scope and significance of the materials in reaching its conclusion. “Noting the limited extent of the requested additions, the nature of the material concerned and its relevance to the charges brought against the suspect, as well as the absence of objection from the parties and participants to both the Defence’s and Prosecution’s Requests, the Chamber considers that there is good cause to grant such requests without causing undue prejudice to either party,” the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said.
The judges directed both camps to comply with a filing deadline. “FOR THESE REASONS, THE CHAMBER HEREBY GRANTS the Defence’s Request and the Prosecution’s Request; and ORDERS the Defence and the Prosecution to file an updated list of evidence by no later than 20 February 2026 at 16:00,” it added.
Separately, the same Chamber has also approved Duterte’s bid to waive his right to be physically present at the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for next week.
