MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's request to be excused from attending the first status conference in his crimes against humanity case, scheduled for May 23, 2026. The court also denied a request from a victims' lawyer to participate remotely, according to an ICC decision issued on May 20, 2026.
The status conference, part of the pre-trial proceedings, is intended to address procedural matters and set timelines. Duterte, who was arrested in March 2026 and transferred to The Hague, faces charges related to the deadly drug war waged during his presidency from 2016 to 2022, which allegedly resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.
The ICC's decision allows Duterte to be represented by his legal team at the conference, while the denial of remote access for the victims' lawyer means that lawyer must attend in person or not participate. The court did not provide detailed reasoning for either decision in the public summary.
Human rights groups have closely followed the case, which marks a significant step in international justice for the Philippines. The next hearing is expected to address the admissibility of evidence and the timeline for a potential trial.
