Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) are seeking to begin the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 30, 2026, with plans to complete all pre-trial preparations by the end of September, according to filings submitted before Trial Chamber III.
The Office of the Prosecutor proposed the Nov. 30 start date in a 17-page submission, stating that pre-trial steps are expected to be finalized by Sept. 30, 2026.
The prosecution said the schedule could make the case one of the fastest to reach trial after confirmation of charges, adding that it would allow disclosure and other procedures to be completed efficiently and reduce the risk of delays during trial proceedings.
Prosecutors are also considering the inclusion of additional incidents under the already confirmed charges, provided these remain within the scope of the existing temporal, geographical, and factual parameters.
The defense would be given notice should any expansions be formally introduced.
The prosecution plans to present around 60 to 70 witnesses, including experts on the Philippines’ drug war, police operations, statistical analysis of killings, and forensic science.
It also identified about 197 speeches and public statements by Duterte that may be submitted as evidence.
Court filings show that 5,177 items of evidence have already been disclosed to the defense, including nearly 3,000 witness-related materials, while more than 13,000 additional items remain under review.
The investigation into the broader Philippines situation remains ongoing, with prosecutors continuing evidence collection and witness follow-ups.
Defense counsel Peter Haynes, in a filing dated May 15, requested a renewed fitness review of Duterte before trial proceedings begin, arguing that setting a trial date would be inappropriate due to unresolved issues regarding the former president’s condition.
Haynes stated: “The Defense position is that the commencement of trial is contingent upon a determination of Mr. Duterte’s fitness.”
He further argued that Duterte’s condition has reportedly worsened and cited neurological assessments indicating progressive impairment affecting memory, reasoning, and other cognitive functions, though portions of the diagnosis were redacted in court documents.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber had earlier found Duterte fit to stand trial. However, the defense is seeking a reassessment, arguing that his condition requires updated evaluation before proceedings move forward.
If found fit, the defense requested 14 to 19 months for trial preparation, which differs from the prosecution’s proposed timeline.
Duterte faces charges of murder and murder with attempted murder as crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign from 2013 to 2018.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez
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