Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have officially ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity, a significant development in a long-anticipated legal process.
The ICC has scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing for February 23, during which judges will evaluate whether the prosecution's case against Duterte is substantial enough to advance to trial.
Duterte's legal team had contended that the 80-year-old was unfit for participation in ICC proceedings, alleging concerns about his health and mental capacity. Currently detained in The Hague, Duterte has been facing serious accusations stemming from his brutal war on drugs which purportedly resulted in the extrajudicial killing of thousands of individuals labeled as drug dealers and users.
From 2016 to 2022, Duterte, serving as president, justified these killings as essential for maintaining peace and order, claiming they would facilitate economic growth.
In their ruling, ICC judges expressed they were satisfied based on expert opinions that Duterte could effectively exercise his procedural rights, pointing out that the mental capacities required for a fair trial don't need to be at their highest peak.
This ruling has been hailed by critics such as Congresswoman Leila de Lima, who stated that it reinforces the notion that victims of Duterte's regime will have their voices heard in court.
Following his ousting, Duterte was detained at Manila airport in March 2025, amidst diminishing political leverage as his alliance with successor Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. faded. His controversial legacy remains a dividing issue among Filipinos, balancing criticism from human rights advocates against his appeal to constituents disillusioned by traditional political figures.
Notably, Duterte was recently elected as mayor of Davao City despite his imprisonment, while his daughter, Sara Duterte, is anticipated to run for presidency in the upcoming 2028 elections.
