Philippine ex-president Duterte fit to stand trial, ICC judges rule

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - THE HAGUE — Judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
Duterte's lawyers earlier argued that the 80-year-old is unfit to participate in the ICC proceedings due to cognitive decline. He has been detained at the Hague since March last year.
ICC judges also said in their decision on Monday that the mental capacities needed to "meaningfully exercise one's procedural and fair trial rights" did not have to be "at their notionally highest level".
The judges said a report by independent medical experts found that Duterte would be able to understand and participate in his case.
"The Chamber is satisfied, in law, that Mr Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings," the judges said.
The ICC also set a "confirmation of charges" hearing on 23 February, where judges will decide whether the prosecution's case against Duterte is strong enough to proceed to a trial.
Duterte served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and was arrested and taken to The Hague last March.
Duterte's counsel Nicholas Kaufman said in a statement that the defense was disappointed after being denied the chance to present its own medical evidence and question the findings in court.
"The defence will seek leave to appeal this decision and argue that Mr Duterte was denied due process," Kaufman said.
According to ICC prosecutors, Duterte created, funded and armed death squads during his war on drugs when thousands of alleged narcotics peddlers and users were killed.

Advertisements Judges also set a new date for his confirmation of charges hearing. Prosecutors want to charge Duterte with three counts of murder as a crime against humanity involving over 75 victims, but under the ICC system judges will have to confirm the charges after separate hearings before the case can move to trial.
According to police, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations under Duterte's presidency. But activists say the real toll was far higher and the ICC prosecutor has said as many as 30,000 people may have died.
"This ruling tells victims that in the reckoning of Duterte at the ICC, their voices will not be sidelined by technical evasions," said Congresswoman Leila de Lima, one of Duterte's fiercest critics who was jailed during his presidency on drug charges that were later found to be false.
Duterte was arrested at Manila airport in March 2025 as his family's alliance with his successor, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr crumbled.
His arrest has divided Filipinos. While his deadly drugs crackdown has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, his populist message resonates with those who feel sidelined by Manila's political elite.
In May last year, Duterte was elected mayor of Davao city despite being in prison.
His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, is also widely expected to run for president in the 2028 elections, where Marcos is ineligible to seek a second term. — Agencies