Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared in public Wednesday for the first time since his detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2025, attending a hearing on the crimes against humanity charges stemming from his administration’s war on drugs.
Duterte, wearing a black suit and white shirt, appeared before Trial Chamber III for its third status conference on the case.
Presiding Judge Joanna Korner noted that it was Duterte’s first time appearing in the courtroom and said he could leave at any point without seeking the chamber’s permission.
“This is the first time that Mr. Duterte has been in this court. As far as the trial chamber is concerned, if he wishes to leave for any reason, he may do so, Mr. Haynes, without permission being sought,” Korner told Duterte’s lead counsel Peter Haynes.
The hearing focused partly on how the prosecution could shorten its presentation as the chamber seeks to move the case toward trial.
Korner asked prosecutors to consider reducing their number of witnesses and the roughly 15,000 items of evidence they currently intend to present, citing the need to “conclude the case as quickly as possible.”
ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls said prosecutors estimate that they would need 193 hours to present their case based on their current witness list.
Nicholls, however, said the prosecution would “look for all opportunities to streamline” its presentation.
Among the evidence prosecutors are considering presenting are data sets concerning the “bottom number” of suspects killed during police operations linked to Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
The trial chamber is expected to address the prosecution’s proposed evidence and presentation during the next status conference.
Korner said the chamber plans to hold trial hearings beginning Nov. 30 and continue until the Christmas break. Proceedings are expected to resume in January and continue through March.
Duterte has been in ICC custody since March 2025 in connection with the court’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity arising from the Philippines’ anti-drug campaign.
Photo courtesy of Reuters/Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool
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