Rodrigo Duterte skipping ICC status conference may be part of legal strategy

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to waive his appearance at the first status conference in his crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be part of his camp’s legal strategy, ICC Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti said Wednesday.

“Sa strategy, posible (As a strategy, possible),” Conti told GMA News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

Conti noted that Duterte has not been publicly seen since March, saying this has fueled speculation about his condition.

“Hindi pa po natin siya nakikita simula’t sapul, simula Marso. Kaya para sa marami, nagiging mito na siya o kaya nagiging mystical ang kanyang entity. At para sa marami, nabubuhay na lang siya sa pamamagitan ng cardboard,” she said.

(We haven’t seen him since March. So for many, he’s becoming a myth or his entity is becoming mystical. And for many, he’s just living through a cardboard.)

“Palagay ko, bahagi ng kanilang theory is that nanghihina na siya, nahihirapan siya sa loob,” she added.

(I think part of their theory is that he’s getting weaker, he’s struggling in detention.)

Despite Duterte’s absence from the status conference, Conti explained that ICC rules generally require the accused to appear during the actual trial proceedings.

Under the Rome Statute, she said the accused “has to appear or shall appear” during trial. But reasonable excuses for absence may still be considered by the court, she added.

Conti said Duterte may still be required to appear during important stages of the proceedings, including the reading of charges and the entering of a plea.

The first status conference is expected to tackle matters such as the trial schedule, witnesses, evidence presentation, language to be used in court, and protection measures for victims and witnesses.

Duterte formally waived his right to be present at the first status conference scheduled on May 27.

Peter Haynes, Duterte’s legal counsel, submitted the 81-year-old Duterte’s signed waiver to the ICC Trial Chamber III on Monday, May 25. —AOL, GMA News