Duterte camp asks ICC for 'urgent' status conference citing 'delays'

The defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte has requested that the International Criminal Court hold an “urgent status conference” before its summer recess begins on July 25. –

According to a redacted public copy of the defense's request before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, signed by Duterte’s counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, on July 15, the defense said the conference would help determine whether the current timeline for the confirmation of charges hearing remains feasible.

The confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled to begin on September 23. The judges will then have up to 60 days before announcing their decision on whether Duterte’s case will proceed to trial.

The request cited delays that cannot be attributed to the defense.

"The aforementioned delays are evidenced by the following facts, as admitted, more or less, by [REDACTED]:

• a month passed from the moment that the Defence requested [REDACTED] on 15 April 2025, until they were received on 16 May 2025;
• the [REDACTED] underlying [REDACTED] on 16 May 2025 was only supplied to the Defence on 7 July 2025;
• an [REDACTED] requested more than a month ago [REDACTED] is yet to be [REDACTED]; and
• the [REDACTED] more than a month ago are yet to be received."

Status conferences

Based on the ICC Chambers Practice Manual, status conferences are procedural meetings in which “oral orders and clarifications in relation to the conduct of the proceedings can be provided to the parties.”

Such conferences increase efficiency and eliminate "the need for cumbersome written decisions." The parties’ procedural requests can also be received, debated, and decided at these meetings.

The Duterte defense’s latest filing said that under Rule 121(2)(b) of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the Pre-Trial Chamber had the authority to "hold status conferences on matters affecting the timely and efficient conduct of the confirmation proceedings, frequently before a Single Judge appointed for such ‘housekeeping’ matters."

The defense urged the Pre-Trial Chamber I to convene the conference “as soon as practicable,” suggesting it be held before 5:30 p.m. on July 25 (or 11:30 p.m. Manila time).

It stated that the conference would enable the chamber to determine whether it is still reasonable to proceed with the confirmation hearing under the current schedule.

The defense added that such conferences have been used in previous cases to resolve procedural concerns without the need for lengthy written decisions.

Duterte’s defense said it had already informed the chamber of these concerns through email and other filings. They noted that the delay in receiving essential documents had directly impacted their ability to prepare their arguments before the July 24 deadline.

“The Defence respectfully requests that the Chamber adjudicate on this submission as a matter of urgency, given the importance of the issues raised,” the filing read.

The request was filed before Pre-Trial Chamber I, composed of Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.

The chamber is handling the confirmation phase of the case against Duterte over alleged crimes committed during his administration’s anti-drug campaign. –NB, GMA Integrated News