Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV expressed strong confidence that former President Rodrigo Duterte will face a full-blown trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In an interview Thursday, Trillanes said the tribunal’s ruling could come as early as April, following the confirmation of charges proceedings held from February 23 to 27.
“I am 100% confident na ang decision dito, siguro first half of April ay tutungo sa full-blown trial ‘yong kaso ni Digong,” he declared.
Trillanes said his assessment was based on the evidence presented by prosecutors during the hearings, which he claimed clearly established elements of crimes against humanity.
“Ang pinanghuhugutan ko dito ay ‘yong mga nasaksihan natin mismo na prenesentang ebidensya ng prosecution… Maliwanag na maliwanag lahat ng elemento ‘yong crimes against humanity ay inilatag nila,” he explained.
He also criticized Duterte’s lead defense counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, alleging that the defense focused on political arguments rather than directly addressing the evidence.
“Sa kabaliktaran, si Kaufman ay prenesenta ay ‘yong mga intriga at ‘yong politika dahil hindi nila kayang depensahan ‘yong kanilang kliyente na si Digong,” Trillanes said.
The former senator projected that if the ICC decides to proceed, the trial could begin as early as September.
“Malamang sa malamang tutuloy po ‘yan sa full-blown trial at ang tantsa po natin, baka the earliest siguro, mga September, magsisimula na ‘yong trial,” he added.
The ICC earlier stated that a decision following the confirmation of charges would be released within 60 days.
Duterte remains in detention in The Hague, Netherlands, over charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.