The International Criminal Court (ICC) expects former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to attend a critical upcoming status conference on September 7, calling it a vital step before his crimes against humanity trial begins late this year.
During a routine status conference at The Hague on Tuesday, June 23, Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joanna Korner clarified that Duterte’s absence was only permitted because the session was brief.
Addressing lead defense counsel Peter Haynes, Korner emphasized that future flexibility would be limited.
“Again, Mr. Haynes, we’ve excused your client’s attendance today, but as I think we made clear, it’s only because it’s a relatively short hearing,” Korner told Duterte’s lead counsel, Peter Haynes.
Haynes assured the chamber that the former president understood the requirement.
”He’s fully aware that you will expect to see him sooner rather than later,” he said.
The court map includes provisional status conferences on July 14, September 7, October 13, and November 2, though some may be scratched if things run smoothly. However, Judge Korner marked the September 7 date as indispensable since it follows the submission of critical case filings, including an official expert evaluation of Duterte’s health.
”I rather feel the one on the 7th of September because by the time we’ve had the reports is likely to be an important one—and for that, certainly, Mr. Haynes, we would expect Mr. Duterte to be here unless there’s some medical issue,” Korner said.
The timeline mandates that the medical expert’s findings be submitted by August 18, with the ICC Registry delivering its report on August 24.
Duterte has been out of the public eye since March 14, 2025, when he appeared via video link from the ICC Detention Center in The Hague. He remains in ICC custody while his legal team manages his defense.
He faces three counts of crimes against humanity, specifically murder and attempted murder, stemming from the deadly anti-drug crackdown during his time as Davao City mayor and later as president.
Following the formal confirmation of charges earlier this year, his trial is officially scheduled to commence on November 30.