ICC orders Rody to attend Sept 7 hearing

Posted by ReyFort Media

THE Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered detained former president Rodrigo Duterte to attend the September 7, 2026 status conference on the crimes against humanity charges filed against him.

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner told Duterte’s lead defense counsel, Peter Haynes, that the tribunal expects Duterte to be present at the proceeding unless there is a medical reason preventing his attendance.

“Mr. Haynes, we would expect Mr. Duterte to be here (on September 7) unless there is some medical issue,” Korner said.

The elderly Duterte was allowed to waive his appearance in Tuesday’s second status conference, with the chamber noting that the proceeding was “relatively short.”

The former president also waived his appearance during the first status conference on May 27 and did not attend the week-long confirmation of charges hearing last February.

Duterte’s only appearance before the tribunal was on March 14, 2025, days after he was arrested in Manila and transferred to ICC custody.

Korner said medical experts tasked to assess Duterte’s fitness to stand trial are expected to submit their findings by August 18, after which the prosecution, defense, and legal representatives of the victims have until August 31 to respond to the report.

Aside from the September 7 session, the trial chamber has scheduled additional status conferences on July 14, October 13, and November 2.

The court has set the start of the trial for November 30, 2026. (A. Hachero/ Malaya)