The International Criminal Court (ICC) has postponed the pre-trial hearing of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, originally scheduled for September 23 (Tuesday), in connection with charges stemming from his bloody war on drugs.
“The majority of the chamber hereby decides to vacate the date of 23 September 2025 and to postpone the hearing on the confirmation of charges until further notice,” ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled in a 2–1 vote on Monday, September 8. Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera dissented.
According to Duterte’s legal counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, the former president is currently “not fit to stand trial,” though he did not clarify what medical condition Duterte may be suffering from.
Kaufman filed the motion on August 18, urging the court to suspend proceedings. The chamber’s decision noted that Kaufman asked “that all legal proceedings, including the hearing on the confirmation of charges, be adjourned indefinitely based on its assertion that Mr Duterte is not fit to stand trial.”
No new date has been set for Duterte’s pre-trial hearing.