ICC judges find former Philippine President Duterte fit to stand trial

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesJanuary 26, 2026 at 03:15 PM

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity. The decision, announced on January 26, 2026, rejects defense arguments about Duterte's frail health. The ruling is based on an assessment by independent medical experts who determined the 80-year-old is capable of understanding the proceedings and exercising his legal rights. Duterte faces charges related to his alleged involvement in killings during his "war on drugs" while serving as mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022. A "confirmation of charges" hearing is scheduled for February 23, where judges will assess the strength of the prosecution's case to determine if a full trial is warranted.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Davao 35% Sara Duterte 40% Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Marcos) 45% Philippine President ×255% Philippines ×375% International Criminal Court (ICC) ×485% Rodrigo Duterte ×595%

Keywords

rodrigo duterte 100% crimes against humanity 90% fit to stand trial 90% international criminal court 90% war on drugs 70% medical assessment 60% legal proceedings 60% confirmation of charges 50% philippine president 50%