KARAPATAN lauds recent ICC decision finding Duterte fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
27 January 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
KARAPATAN lauds recent ICC decision finding Duterte fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings
KARAPATAN welcomes the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pretrial Chamber finding Rodrigo Duterte fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings. The ruling rejected a motion from Duterte’s defense lawyers for an indefinite adjournment of the proceedings on claims that their client had cognitive deficits that would prevent him from meaningfully participating in his trial.
With this ruling, said KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay, the date for the confirmation of charges has been scheduled for February 23, 2026, and the trial proper can commence soon after.
Palabay added that the ICC Pre-trial Chamber’s latest ruling puts an end to Duterte’s attempts in the past five months to prevent the trial from ensuing. “Duterte and his ilk have been desperate to stop the proceedings because they have absolutely no defense for the crimes he perpetrated,” said Palabay. “Up to now, he is the same murderous and unrepentant tyrant that he was when he was still in power.”
The ICC has called for more witnesses to come forward with additional evidence. There have also been proposals to expand the scope of Duterte’s accountability to include unjust imprisonment, torture and other inhumane acts that fall under the scope of crimes against humanity.
“In any case, the prospects of having Duterte stand trial already offers a glimmer of hope for the many victims of his bloody drug war who have long been seeking justice and accountability,” concluded Palabay.
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.