ICC OKs bids of Duterte's lawyers, prosecution to add more evidence

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted the request of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team and the prosecution to add new pieces of evidence to be used in the proceedings.

In a four-page decision dated February 10, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I ordered the defense and the prosecution to “file an update list of evidence by no later than 13 February 2026.”

This was after Duterte’s legal team sought permission from the ICC to add 78 items to its list of evidence “to be relied on during the hearing on the confirmation of charges.”

In its latest order, the ICC noted that the prosecution has indicated that it does not object to the admission of the 78 items of evidence.

The prosecution also sought the chamber’s authorization to add two more items to its list of evidence and that the defense also agreed not to object to this request.

The Common Legal Representatives of Victims (CLRV) said they do not oppose the requests of the defense and the prosecution to add more evidence.

“Noting the limited extent of the requested additions, the nature of the material concerned and its relevance to the charges brought against the suspect, as well as the absence of objection from the parties and participants to both the Defence’s and Prosecution’s Requests, the Chamber considers that there is good cause to grant such requests without causing undue prejudice to either party,” the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said.

The ICC’s order came ahead of the confirmation of charges hearing against the 80-year-old Duterte in connection with his alleged crimes against humanity over his war on illegal drugs.

According to the schedule adopted by the Pre-Trial Chamber I, the confirmation of charges will begin on February 23 and run until February 27. — JMA, GMA Integrated News