ICC Trial Chamber III sets trial date for Duterte case on Nov. 30, 2026

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III on Wednesday set the opening of the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s crime against humanity case over his war on illegal drugs during his time as President and Davao City mayor on November 30, 2026.

“The start of trial, we are prepared to accede to the prosecution’s application of the 30th of November as the start of trial,” Presiding Judge Joanna Korner said during the case’s first status conference.

According to Korner, the trial will run daily until a judicial recess.

“We have to wait for the report on the accused fitness and they will specifically be asked to – if they find him fit to stand trial,” she said.

Earlier, Korner said they will order the re-examination of Duterte’s health upon the request of his defense team.

“What we decided to do is that, in light of the short discussion, it would be preferable if the parties could liaise together and prepare a proposed joint letter of instruction,” she said.

During the conference, Korner said the ICC prosecution wants to begin Duterte’s trial on November 30 while Duterte’s defense team did not want to propose a date until matters regarding his fitness were resolved.

She said the legal representative of the victims wants to begin the trial by the beginning of September while the ICC Registry seeks to begin it in January 2027 due to concerns regarding interpretation. — JMA, GMA News