The International Criminal Court on Monday ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte is fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings and set Feb. 23, 2026, as the start of the confirmation of charges hearing in his crimes against humanity case.
In a decision dated Jan. 26, Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the Defense’s request for an indefinite adjournment, which argued that Duterte was not medically fit to take part in the proceedings.
The chamber said it had appointed a panel of three independent medical experts to examine Duterte and received their reports on Dec. 5, 2025. The Prosecution, the Defense, and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims later submitted observations on the findings.
“Having regard to the relevant legal principles, the medical assessment of the independent experts composing the Panel, and all of the relevant circumstances of the case,” the chamber said it was satisfied that Duterte “is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings,” which are now resumed.
The judges formally rejected “the Defence’s request for an indefinite adjournment” and scheduled the opening of the confirmation of charges hearing for Feb. 23, 2026.
The chamber said it will issue a separate order setting the schedule and directions for the hearing, including instructions on measures recommended in the medical reports “to facilitate Mr Duterte’s participation.”
According to the court, the confirmation of charges hearing seeks “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 charges are confirmed, the case will move to a Trial Chamber for full trial proceedings.
The ICC said practical details on how to attend or watch the hearing will be released closer to the scheduled date.
Duterte is suspected of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder allegedly committed in the Philippines between Nov. 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, in connection with the government’s so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign.
At the request of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, the arrest warrant against Duterte was issued as “Secret” on March 7, 2025, and reclassified as “Public” on March 11, 2025. He was arrested by Philippine authorities and surrendered to the court on March 12, 2025.
Duterte made his initial appearance before ICC judges on March 14, 2025. The confirmation of charges hearing was originally set for Sept. 23, 2025, but was postponed on Sept. 8, 2025, as the chamber considered the Defense’s adjournment request on his fitness to stand trial.
Pre-Trial Chamber I is composed of Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.
