Posted by ReyFort Media
The schedule has been set. The International Criminal Court (ICC) Presiding Judge Joanna Kormer confirmed the schedule for the first week trial of Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte. Save the date, follow the trial, be in solidarity with the families of the victims of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs as they pursue and fight for justice and accountability.
From what we know from announcements and statements, the trial is packed with four daily sessions from 10 AM to 4PM, from November 30 onwards.
The ICC has confirmed that Duterte is fit to stand trial and exercise his fair trial rights and is expected to attend every day once the trial begins. Ayon sa panel ng mga expert ng ICC, may kakayanan o kapasidad ni Duterte na maintindihan ang mga kaso laban sa kaniya, pati na ang layunin at kaganapan ng mga proceeding, sundan ang mga ito, maintindan ang ebidensya na ilalahad, at maging aktibo sa paghanda sa kaniyang depensa. Sa madaling salita, walang dahilan na umabsent si Duterte sa kaniyang paglilitis, hindi niya pwedeng idahilan na may trapik, bumabagyo o bumabaha, o wala siyang maisuot.
His presence at the trial sessions is more than enough reason for us to watch the trial as it happens or to watch the recordings later. Duterte stands trial “for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder pursuant to article 7(1)(a) of the Rome Statute. These crimes were allegedly committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019.” The families of the victims now have their chance to tell their stories right to his face.
The hearing can be followed with a 30-minute delay on the ICC website (Courtroom I), as well as on the ICC Facebook accounts and on the ICC YouTube Channel.
Duterte makes history as the first Asia head of state to be arrested by the ICC, to be detained at the Hague and to stand trial. To follow the trial sessions is to be a witness to history in the making, to be a witness to the truth that no matter how long it takes, no matter how powerful politicians or criminals are, no matter how loud and influential they and their families are, truth comes out eventually and justice is exacted. It is also to be a witness to the strength and tenacity of the hope that the families hold onto.
To refresh our memory of the Duterte case in the ICC, here is a brief background: It is just over a year that Duterte has been arrested but developments have been moving in steady fashion. Note that the warrant for his arrest was issued on March 7, 2025, Duterte surrendered to the ICC on March 12, 2025, and his initial appearance happened on March 14, 2025. Charges of crimes against humanity were confirmed and Duterte was committed to trail on April 23, 2026. On May 27, 2026, the opening of his trial was scheduled for November 20, 2026. On October 8, 2026, Duterte was deemed fit to stand trial.
The Duterte Panagutin Campaign Network is a is a coalition of Filipino organisations and individuals from across Europe who are united in their call to hold former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte accountable for his crimes against humanity. While Duterte must be held accountable for the thousands of lives destroyed by his bloody campaign, Duterte Panagutin-Netherlands reminds us that “The struggle for justice does not end with a trial date. We must continue to organize, speak out, and demand accountability until justice is served.”
And to that , I say: Amen.
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