Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not participate via video conference in his upcoming confirmation of charges hearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC), his defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman said Tuesday.
According to the ICC’s official schedule, the confirmation hearing is set for February 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Hague time (5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Philippine time) before Pre-Trial Chamber I in Courtroom I. Additional hearing dates are scheduled for February 24, 26, and 27.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, defense, and victims’ legal representatives will present their arguments before the judges.
Kaufman said Duterte would not join the hearing through video conferencing, claiming the former president did not voluntarily appear via video link during his initial court appearance.
He alleged that Duterte was still under hospital medication at the time and questioned the circumstances under which a prison doctor declared him mentally fit.
When asked whether Duterte would appear in person or waive his right to attend, Kaufman declined to comment further.
The ICC has allotted specific timeframes for oral arguments:
- Prosecution: 30 minutes opening, 2 hours 30 minutes submissions, 30 minutes closing.
- Victims’ representatives: 30 minutes opening, 1 hour 30 minutes submissions, 30 minutes closing.
- Defense: 30 minutes opening, 3 hours 30 minutes submissions, 30 minutes closing.
The hearing will be streamed online with a 30-minute delay via the ICC’s website and social media platforms.
The court said the purpose of the confirmation hearing is to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to establish substantial grounds to believe the accused committed the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, the case will proceed to trial before a Trial Chamber.
Duterte is currently detained at the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen, The Hague, facing crimes against humanity charges linked to killings during his anti-drug campaign.
Prosecutors have also identified several alleged co-perpetrators, including Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, former police chiefs, ex-NBI director Dante Gierran, and former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.