Duterte seeks ICC waiver for April 22 hearing appearance

National

DETAINED former President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court to waive his personal appearance at the April 22 hearing on the judgment of his challenge to the court’s jurisdiction.

The request, filed on April 13 by his counsel Nicholas Kaufman, stated that Duterte has given full authorization for his legal team to represent him during the proceedings in his absence.

The Appeals Chamber is scheduled to deliver its ruling on the jurisdiction challenge at 11 a.m. on April 22, which will determine whether the ICC can proceed with the case against the former president, a report by Philstar said.

Duterte had also waived his appearance during the confirmation of charges hearing held from February 23 to 27, a request that was previously granted by the tribunal.

In an earlier decision dated October 23, 2025, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 rejected Duterte’s challenge to its jurisdiction over allegations of crimes against humanity, particularly murder, linked to his administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Following the ruling, Duterte elevated the case to the Appeals Chamber in November 2025, seeking to reverse the decision and questioning the court’s authority to handle the case.

The upcoming decision of the Appeals Chamber is expected to be a key development in determining the next steps in the proceedings. (Rodgelyn Morales, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD Intern)