Duterte to Skip Final Pre-Trial Hearing Before November 30 ICC Trial Opening
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will skip the fifth status conference before his upcoming trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Philstar.com reported. Trial Chamber III approved his request to waive his appearance, allowing his defense lawyers to handle the procedural agenda alone. Duterte has been detained in The Hague since March 2025.
The trial itself is scheduled to open on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. in The Hague, which is 5 p.m. Manila time, The Manila Times reported. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner and Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou will first verify that Duterte understands the charges against him and ask him to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Duterte Faces Three Counts of Crimes Against Humanity
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity involving alleged murders and attempted murders committed between Nov. 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019. The first count covers alleged killings in Davao City from 2013 to June 2016 during his mayoral tenure. The second focuses on the killings of designated high-value targets between July 2016 and July 2017 during his presidency. The third involves alleged murders and attempted murders during nationwide barangay clearing operations from July 2016 to September 2018.
The Common Legal Representatives of Victims will participate in the proceedings. The defense may present its opening statement either at the outset or immediately before presenting its own evidence.
Prosecutors Present Evidence to Establish Guilt Beyond Doubt
The prosecution must establish Duterte’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. After opening statements, prosecutors will call their first witness and present documentary, digital, or physical evidence. GMA Network noted that the courtroom schedule will be adjusted on a case-by-case basis as the proceedings advance.
READ | Former President Rodrigo Duterte has waived his right to appear before the ICC Trial Chamber III at the upcoming fifth status conference on November 2, 2026. The defense team notified the Chamber about Duterte’s waiver, which the Chamber granted his request. Duterte… pic.twitter.com/ftQWdb6rPw
Lawyers for drug war victims recently asked Trial Chamber III to admit the testimonies of three specific witnesses, designated as P-1370, P-1393, and P-1416, according to Inquirer.net. The Common Legal Representatives of Victims argued that admitting these prior recorded testimonies as cumulative and corroborative evidence would expedite the proceedings and save court resources. These witnesses provide accounts of extrajudicial killings allegedly committed by police officers in Bulacan province and Central Luzon, including incidents involving monetary rewards and unpunished police operations.
The defense will have the opportunity to challenge prosecution witnesses and present its own evidence and witnesses after the prosecution rests. The judges will render a judgment only if they are satisfied that the charges have been proved to the required legal standard.
