ICC to hold hearings on charges against ex-Philippine President Duterte

Rodrigo Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his time as president and Davao mayor.Published On 23 Feb 2026The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to hold a hearing to determine whether former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte should stand trial for crimes against humanity over his deadly antidrug crackdown.The four-day “confirmation of charges” hearing, which will start at 09:00 GMT on Monday, will determine whether there is enough evidence against Duterte to proceed to a formal trial.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3The Take: Why was Rodrigo Duterte arrested by the ICC?list 2 of 3Duterte supporters mark ex-Philippine leader’s 80th birthday with rallieslist 3 of 3ICC prosecutor warned to drop Netanyahu case or be ‘destroyed’: Reportend of listThe 80-year-old former leader, however, will not be present at the hearing in The Hague after the court granted a defence request to waive his right to appear, despite judges ruling that he was fit to take part.Following the hearing, the judges will have 60 days to issue a written decision.The case marks a reversal of fortune for Duterte, who has repeatedly cursed the ICC, and offers families of victims and survivors of his bloody six-year war on drugs a chance at justice.The United States-based watchdog Human Rights Watch said the hearing on Monday is “a critical step in ensuring justice for victims of the Philippines’ ‘war on drugs'”, while families of victims called it a “moment of truth”.Hopes for justiceLlore Pasco, mother of two men who were killed by unknown attackers in 2017, told Al Jazeera that it was urgent that all those involved in the so-called war on drugs, including the former president, “are held accountable”.“I feel a little bit nervous, but this is the moment of truth. We are all hoping that the ICC and the judges will hear the cry of the victims.”A Catholic priest joins hands with the relatives of the victims of extrajudicial killings under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called war on drugs during the inurnment rites at a cemetery in Metro Manila’s Caloocan district, on February 20, 2026 [Ted Aljibe/AFP]Luzviminda Siapo, whose 19-year-old son was killed in 2017, said she was encouraged that there is progress in the case against Duterte, whom she described as the “brains” behind the killings.