Vice President Sara Duterte said she intends to bring up with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, growing calls for a change in his legal team as he faces proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking briefly to reporters in The Hague during a visit to her father, who is currently under ICC custody, Sara acknowledged that the issue had not yet been discussed. “That’s right. I actually said earlier that I would ask that, but I forgot. Sorry, I will ask that question tomorrow to former President Duterte. I forgot that question earlier,” she said when asked about the matter.
The discussion around replacing the former president’s lawyers emerged after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I turned down a defense request to suspend the case indefinitely on grounds of alleged cognitive impairment. The chamber ruled that the proceedings would move forward.
As part of that decision, the court set February 23, 2026 as the start date for the confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte.
The ruling followed an assessment conducted by three court-appointed specialists—a forensic psychiatrist, a neuropsychologist, and a geriatric and behavioral neurologist—who jointly concluded that Duterte is mentally fit to take part in the proceedings.
In response, lead defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said the legal team would seek permission to appeal the ruling, arguing that the court denied Duterte due process by preventing his lawyers from presenting evidence or challenging the medical findings.
Rodrigo Duterte has been detained by the ICC since March 2025 in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign, known as Oplan Tokhang, which official records place at more than 6,000 deaths, while rights groups estimate the toll to be significantly higher.
