Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Wednesday. This is the first time Duterte has attended a court session in person since his transfer to the court last year.
Appearance in court and health status
Duterte, 81 years old, participated in a session dedicated to discussing the necessary preparations for his trial. In this session, topics such as his health status and ability to participate in the proceedings were examined. Duterte's lawyers have claimed that cognitive decline has affected his ability to stand trial.
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Duterte had participated in his first court appearance via video in March 2025 and has since missed several sessions due to health issues. His defense has pointed to health problems, justifying his absence from the sessions.
Charges and proceedings
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity. These charges relate to the killings of individuals during his anti-drug campaign from 2011 to 2019, a period during which he served as the mayor of Davao City and then as President of the Philippines.
Duterte's trial is set to begin on November 30, when the charges will be formally presented in court. Court records indicate that prosecutors have continued to provide evidence and other documentation related to the trial in recent weeks, and preparations for the proceedings are progressing.
Duterte has been held at the ICC detention center in The Hague since March 2025, after being arrested in Manila and transferred to the Netherlands.
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