Vice President Sara Duterte reported on Monday (Philippine time) that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is in good health and spirits following a visit to his location in The Hague.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment as the International Criminal Court (ICC) officially transitions the case against the former leader into a full-scale trial.
The Vice President noted that while the former president appears physically well, he has been resistant to certain health recommendations.
“OK lang naman. He looks well. He looks healthy,” the Vice President said. “I suggested na magpa-physiotherapy siya. But he refused na mag-physiotherapy. We’ll see tomorrow kung makumbinsi natin siya na magpa-physiotherapy in lieu of his supposed dapat everyday exercise.”
CHARGES CONFIRMED, TRIAL CHAMBER FORMED
The transition to trial follows a unanimous decision by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I on April 23, which confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity against the elder Duterte. The charges are linked to the “widespread and systematic” killings during his anti-drug campaign from 2011 to 2019, covering his terms as Davao City mayor and President of the Philippines.
Vice President Duterte acknowledged the inevitability of the proceedings, marking a shift in the family’s stance toward active trial preparation.
“I accepted it as it is. We don’t see any way that the ICC will let go of the case,” she stated.
To oversee the next phase, the ICC Presidency has constituted Trial Chamber III, composed of a three-judge panel:
- Judge Joanna Korner (United Kingdom) – Presiding Judge
- Judge Nicolas Guillou (France)
- Judge Keebong Paek (South Korea)
NEXT STEPS
With the Trial Chamber now active, the court is expected to hold a series of status conferences to establish procedural timelines and a formal start date for the trial. The first of these status conferences has already been scheduled for May 27, 2026.
The former president, who was transferred to the court’s custody in March 2025, is the first Asian former head of state to face trial before the Hague-based tribunal.