The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied former President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to access communications between the court’s registry and the panel of experts assessing his fitness to stand trial.
In a five-page ruling dated December 23, 2025, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, led by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, said there was no compelling reason to grant the appeal filed on December 10.
Duterte’s legal team had sought emails, letters, phone notes, and materials provided to the experts, including ICC filings and medical records.
The chamber ruled that the defense already had access to the relevant information.
“These are contained in the Registry’s Transmission as well as the annexed Panel’s Reports. In particular, the chamber notes that, in the Panel’s Reports, the experts consistently refer to the chamber’s instructions and relevant materials that have guided them in the preparation of their reports,” the ruling stated.
Highlighting the registry’s neutrality, the court said its role was limited to transmitting instructions.
“Without further substantiation from the defence, the disclosure of ‘all communications between the registry and the three experts is not warranted,” the chamber added.
The decision also recalled a September 24, 2025 ruling that outlined the documents the registry would provide to the panel, which Duterte’s legal team already has full access to.