The International Criminal Court has cleared former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to participate in pre-trial proceedings, paving the way for the confirmation of charges hearing to open on February 23, 2026.
In a 25-page ruling dated January 26, Pre-Trial Chamber I dismissed a defense motion seeking to halt the case indefinitely on the ground of alleged cognitive impairment. Judges said the request was unsupported after an independent medical review process.
The chamber disclosed that it constituted a three-member panel of medical experts to examine Duterte and received their reports on December 5, 2025. The prosecution, defense, and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims were each given the opportunity to submit observations on those findings.
Assessing the medical opinions alongside the broader circumstances of the case, the judges concluded Duterte can meaningfully exercise his procedural rights. On that basis, the chamber ordered the resumption of pre-trial proceedings.
“The Chamber rejected the Defence’s request for an indefinite adjournment and set the date of the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing for February 23, 2026,” the court said in a separate statement released Monday.
The ICC added that a formal order detailing the timetable and directions for the hearing will follow. That order will also set out measures recommended by the medical experts to support Duterte’s participation during proceedings.
“The purpose of such [a] hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If one or more of the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a trial chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial,” the statement said.
Caroline Maurel, an outreach officer with the ICC’s Public Information and Outreach Section, told reporters via text message that judges have not yet decided whether Duterte will take part in the February 23 hearing in person or by video link.
“Those directions will include instructions on the taking of measures that the medical reports have recommended to ensure that any medical condition that Mr Duterte has can appropriately be addressed during the pre-trial proceedings,” she said.
