THE LEGAL battle surrounding the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte reached a critical juncture on Jan. 28, as his defense team filed a formal appeal seeking his immediate interim release from International Criminal Court (ICC) custody.
The appeal directly challenges a Jan. 26 decision by the Pre-Trial Chamber to maintain the former President’s detention.
The defense argues that the chamber committed a serious error by “categorically disregarding” a medical report detailing Duterte’s declining health and cognitive condition.
According to the filing, the chamber rejected the medical evidence solely because it originated from the defense, while simultaneously refusing requests for an independent medical assessment.
The defense maintains that this “undermines his right to a fair hearing” and is now petitioning the Appeals Chamber—presided over by Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin —to reverse the detention order.
VP Sara: ‘No plans to change lawyers’
Amidst the legal maneuvering, Vice President Sara Duterte, currently in The Hague, addressed concerns from both supporters and detractors regarding the performance of the defense team.
In an interview at The Hague with the media, the vice president confirmed that she personally consulted her father about whether he was satisfied with his current legal counsel.
“I asked him exactly your question: do you want to change them because you are not satisfied? He said, no change,” the Vice President shared.
She further revealed that the former President has issued specific, private instructions to his lawyers to guide the next phase of the proceedings.
As the Appeals Chamber—including Judges Tomoko Akane , Solomy Balungi Bossa , Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza , and Gocha Lordkipanidze —begins its review of the case, the vice president emphasized faith over legal speculation.
“The most important thing there is prayer, because the power of prayer is very strong when many people pray together,” she concluded.
