GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Palace calls ICC proceedings for Rodrigo Duterte 'fair trial'
Malacañang has described the International Criminal Court's (ICC) handling of the pre-trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte as "fair," with his rights duly respected amid alleged crimes against humanity over his administration's drug war.
In a statement to reporters late Friday night, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said everybody who witnessed Duterte's first appearance before the ICC "could see how justice starts to roll down."
"Therefore, it reveals further that FP (former President) Duterte was indeed afforded his fundamental rights as a suspect of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, contrary to Duterte's camp statements. This is what we call fair trial," Castro said.
Duterte was allowed to face the ICC pre-trial chamber via videoconferencing from the tribunal's detention center in The Hague. Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc told the court that the 79-year-old Duterte was tired after flying to the Netherlands following his arrest.
Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, whom the ICC has recognized as Duterte's counsel, argued before the court that his client was "abducted from his country" and was suffering from "debilitating medical issues."
Medialdea raised that Duterte was taken to the hospital for observation following their arrival in The Hague and left them "less than an hour to discuss legal issues."
In asserting that the proceedings were impartial, Castro said the postponement of the first appearance was not accepted since there was no need and that it was not yet the time to present Duterte's defenses and evidence.
She added that Motoc conveyed the opinion of the court's doctor that Duterte was "fully and mentally aware and fit," and that he underwent medical checks at the ICC detention facility.
Duterte was also informed of his rights under the Rome Statute, Castro said, and that he was aware of the warrant of arrest.
The chamber scheduled the next hearing on the confirmation of the charges for Sept. 23, 2025.
Responding to Medialdea's arguments, Motoc said, "There will be a full procedure that will unfurl leading up to the confirmation of charges that will enable Mr. Duterte to raise all the matters that you have just raised with regard to the warrant of arrest, with regard to the crimes committed, with regard to the charges and any other matters associated with his arrest and the matters of jurisdiction of the court."
"You have the opportunity to do this throughout these proceedings leading up to the actual confirmation of charges hearing," she added.
According to the ICC website, the pre-trial stage involves the initial appearance and the confirmation of charges hearings, after which the judges decide if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
A suspect can challenge the prosecutor's evidence in the confirmation of charges hearings.
Only after that will the court decide whether to press ahead with a trial, a process that could take several months or even years. — with a report from Anna Felicia Bajo/ VDV, GMA Integrated News
