Palace on Duterte absence at ICC trial: It’s his choice

It is the choice of former President Rodrigo Duterte not to attend the pre-trial hearing of his crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court. 

This was the statement of Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro when asked for comment on the ICC granting the request of  Duterte to skip detention hearing. 

“Ang Pangulo po kasi at ang administrasyon na ito ay hindi po makikialam sa nasabing hearing. Kung ang nais po ng dating Pangulong Duterte ay hindi magpakita sa taumbayan, kaniya pong desisyon iyan,” Castro said in a briefing.

(The President and his administration will not intervene in the said hearing. If he doesn’t want to appear, it’s his decision.) 

“At kung ito naman po ay naresolba ng ICC na payagan siya na huwag magpakita at hindi maging present sa kaniyang sariling hearing, igagalang po natin iyan,” she added. 

(If this was already resolved by the ICC and he’s allowed not to appear in the hearing, we will respect that.) 

In a four-page ruling, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I approved the 80-year-old Duterte’s written request dated February 23 in which he waived his right to be present at the annual hearing on his detention. 

The annual hearing on detention is scheduled on Friday, February 27, at 2 p.m. at The Hague. 

“The Chamber notes Mr. Duterte’s statements that he understands that he has a right to be present at the hearing but ‘wishes to waive this right’ and that his Counsel has explained to him the legal consequences emanating from such a waiver,” the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News