ICC rejects appeal, rules Duterte fit for trial

National

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied former president Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal contesting a previous ruling that declared him mentally and physically fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings.

In an 11-page decision dated February 13, judges of the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I said the issues raised by Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, cannot be appealed. The court also said the request misrepresented its earlier ruling.

The judges explained that they chose not to rely on medical reports submitted by the defense because they wanted to consider only information from neutral and independent sources. This, they said, was necessary to ensure a fair process.

With the appeal request denied, the confirmation of charges hearing set for Feb. 23 is expected to proceed as scheduled.

Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands. He faces charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Separately, the ICC prosecutor said the office is taking no position on Kaufman’s request to disqualify the Filipino lawyers appointed by the court to represent victims in the case.

Meanwhile, Philippine senators are set to hold a caucus regarding the possible arrest of two senators reportedly named by the ICC as alleged co-perpetrators. Senator Bam Aquino said that Filipinos accused of crimes committed in the country should be tried in local courts.

“Let’s wait for the ICC’s formal declaration on February 23,” Aquino said in an interview on Unang Balita. He added that justice for victims of the drug war should ideally be pursued in the Philippines. (Adriane Josef E. Cabase, USJ-R Comm Intern)