BANGA, South Cotabato — Vice President Sara Duterte welcomed the physical appearance of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, before the International Criminal Court (ICC), noting that the proceeding allowed magistrates to assess his current health.
Speaking in an ambush interview on Monday, September 21, the Vice President stated that the tribunal’s third status conference provided judges a direct look at the 81-year-old former leader’s physical condition.
“Masaya ako na nagkaroon ng status conference at finally nakita ng mga judges kung ano yung estado ni PRD,” Duterte said.
She further expressed hope that the court would factor the former chief executive’s age and health into its deliberations as pre-trial developments continue.
“Nakikita niyo na he is of advanced age at sana ay mapag-usapan nila yung estado ng kalagayan ng kanyang kalusugan,” she added.
The former president made his initial in-person court appearance before ICC Trial Chamber III in The Hague on September 16. The milestone marked his first physical tribunal appearance following his arrest in Manila and subsequent transfer to international custody in March 2025.
During the third status conference, judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel discussed pre-trial logistics, including the timeline for presenting prosecution evidence and calling witnesses.
The former chief executive previously participated in tribunal proceedings via video link on March 14, 2025.
Formal trial proceedings before the ICC are set to open on November 30, following the tribunal’s April decision confirming three counts of crimes against humanity linked to alleged anti-drug campaign killings between 2011 and 2019.