ICC Pre-Trial Chamber Hears Charges Against Duterte; Pulong Duterte Calls Process ‘Pretense,’ Senate Minority Cites PH Court Jurisdiction
The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I has begun hearing charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte. His son, Rep. Paolo Duterte, labeled the process a 'pretense,' while the Philippine Senate minority bloc asserted that local courts have the power to try crimes against humanity cases.
The International Criminal Court's Pre-Trial Chamber I began confirmation of charges hearings against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte from February 23-26, 2026, in The Hague. The proceedings focus on crimes against humanity, specifically murder charges related to extrajudicial killings during Duterte's presidency from 2013-2018 and his earlier tenure as Davao City mayor. Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities and surrendered to ICC custody on March 12, 2025, following a secret arrest warrant issued on March 7, 2025. The charges allege his responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator for at least 76 murders linked to the 'Davao Death Squad' and killings of 'high-value targets' in the war on drugs campaign.
Duterte's son, Representative Paolo 'Pulong' Duterte, strongly criticized the ICC proceedings, calling them a 'pretense' of justice and questioning the court's jurisdiction. In a statement on his official Facebook page, he accused the ICC of selectively targeting leaders not aligned with Western interests and treating Philippine sovereignty as 'optional.' He defended his father's anti-drug campaign, asking rhetorically whether suppressing criminality in one's own country constitutes a crime against humanity. Duterte did not attend the hearings in person, submitting a letter rejecting ICC jurisdiction and stating he is 'old, tired, and frail,' accepting potential death in prison.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Senate minority bloc filed Senate Resolution No. 307 on February 18, 2026, asserting that Philippine courts have jurisdiction to try crimes against humanity cases under Republic Act 9851. The resolution, signed by all nine minority senators including Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senators Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, Christopher 'Bong' Go, and others, urges that Filipinos accused of such crimes must first exhaust local court remedies before any ICC extradition or surrender. The resolution cites the 2025 arrest and ICC surrender of Duterte without local judicial redress as undermining sovereignty and due process.
The ICC hearings have significant political implications in the Philippines, creating tensions within the government and fueling debates about national sovereignty versus international accountability. The case tests the ICC's jurisdiction despite the Philippines' 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute, which does not cover crimes committed before the withdrawal. Following the hearings, ICC judges have up to 60 days to decide whether to confirm the charges; confirmation would advance the case to trial, while dismissal would allow prosecution appeal. The proceedings continue to be closely watched both internationally and domestically, with human rights groups urging Philippine cooperation and witness protection.
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