MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s first appearance at the International Criminal Court was the start of a “fair trial”, the Palace said Saturday, noting how the court had checked on the former leader’s physical and mental health and whether he understood the charges against him.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that “everybody could see how justice starts to roll down.”
“No postponement of this first appearance was accepted by the Court since there is no need and it is not yet the time for the suspect to present his defenses and evidence,” Castro said in a statement.
“The judge even emphasized that the Court’s doctor gave the opinion that FP Duterte is fully mentally aware and fit and that he had undergone further checks and tests at the detention facility,” she added.
Castro said the court also confirmed that Duterte had been informed of his rights.
“Therefore , it reveals further that [Duterte] was indeed afforded his fundamental rights as a suspect of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, contrary to [the] Duterte’s camp statements,” she said.
“This is what we call fair trial.”
Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, acting as Duterte’s counsel, raised a manifestation questioning his client’s detention and claimed that the former president had been kidnapped by the Philippine government, a claim that the Palace has rejected and that the court said could be raised at a later time.
Rodrigo Duterte makes first ICC appearance
DUTERTE’S FIRST APPEARANCE
Duterte appeared before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, March 14, for allegations of the crime against humanity of murder, reportedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019.
Duterte joined the hearing through a video link from the ICC Detention Centre in recognition that he had “made a long journey” from the Philippines, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah told journalists via group thread.
The Chamber tentatively set the confirmation of charges hearing on September 23, 2025. The procedure, according to the ICC release, aims to assess whether there is enough evidence to establish substantial grounds for believing the accused committed the alleged crimes.
If the charges are fully or partially confirmed, the case will proceed to a Trial Chamber for the trial phase.
Earlier in the day, Vice President Sara Duterte, along with Sen. Robin Padilla and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, visited the ICC registry to submit documents related to a visit to her father and her attendance to witness the initial court appearance.
Roque, an ICC-accredited lawyer, will represent Duterte alongside British lawyer Nicholas Kaufman and former executive secretary Medialdea.
Kaufman, who describes himself as an international lawyer and ICC defense counsel on his LinkedIn profile, will join Roque as lead counsel.
GATHERINGS OUTSIDE THE COURT
Filipino groups supporting Duterte as well as human rights activists and groups calling for justice for the victims of Duterte’s war on drugs held assemblies outside the ICC building.
Duterte’s supporters expressed their frustration at what they said was the unjust arrest of their ‘Tatay Digong’, a fatherly term of endearment.
Some of them came from neighboring countries like Germany and Belgium. Others said they took a day off to also see Duterte’s daughter, Vice-President Sara, who came to visit his father and assist with forming a legal team.
“Today is very historical because it is the first appearance of our former president and we want to be here to show our love and support for him…We are here to gather peacefully for our former president in such a difficult time,” said Alvin Sarzate, a supporter.
Meanwhile, members of Balikbayan, an umbrella organization of Filipino groups that stand for migrants’ rights, environmental protection, human rights and international solidarity, gathered in front of the ICC.
They were holding placards with faces and names, including minors, whom they claimed the collateral damage in Duterte’s war on drugs.They called for justice for the victims of Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Napaka-importante ng kasong ito kasi makikita ng lahat sa international community at mga state leaders na pareho rin ang ginagawa kasi ang drug war ay hindi lamang sa Pilipinas nangyayari, o ang war against the poor. Sa buong mundo ay nangyayari ito. Alam ng tao na mayroon silang mapupuntahan para sa hustisya tulad ng ICC. Mahalaga na makita nila na merong nagmamasid at nagbabantay,” said Icai Enriquez, a member of the Filipinos Against Corruption and Tyranny (FACT).
(This case is very important because it shows the entire internatoonal community and state leaders who are doing similar things — the drug war, or the war against the poor, is not only happening in the Philippines, but in the entire world. People know that they have somewhere like the ICC to run to. It is important for them to see that people are watching)
Human rights groups stressed that they avoid engaging in personality-driven politics or being drawn into conflicts with opposing parties.
Their focus remains on seeking justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings associated with the war on drugs. They asserted that this policy is unlawful and ineffective in addressing the drug issue. — with Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
