THE 21ST Davao City Council offered a prayer for former President Rodrigo Duterte in the ongoing confirmation of charges in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
The confirmation hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is scheduled to open on 23 February 2026 at 10:00 (The Hague local time) before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC.
Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz led the prayer before the regular session started on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
“We also lift up to you the ongoing court proceedings involving our beloved former President, Rodrigo Duterte, in the Hague. Lord, you are the source of justice and truth. We pray that fairness, clarity, and due process will prevail,” Ortiz said.
“Grant him strength, peace of mind, and courage during a challenging time. Comfort his family and supporters, and calm any unrest or division among our people,” she added.
The hearing is scheduled on February 23-27, 2026, where the prosecution, the defense, and the legal representatives of victims will make oral submissions before the judges to present their arguments on the merits.
The confirmation of charges hearing aims to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds that the defendant committed each of the crimes charged.
ICC stated that if one or more of the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber.
In an interview after the session, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang urged supporters to continue praying for the release of FPRRD.
“He was our mayor. We are deprived of our mayor. He was elected by the people of Davao. We were deprived of his services, but I believe the only way is to pray,” Dayanghirang said.
The councilor declined to comment on the first day of the confirmation of charges on February 23
Apart from praying, Dayanghirang said he is closely monitoring the ongoing procedure.
“I know what is in their mind is to look at God and to give what is due to the president. The presentation is laudable on the side of Kaufman,” he said.
With the confirmation to conclude on Friday, Dayanghirang said the party is not speculating, except to “pray hard” before Friday and thereafter.
Dayanghirang said there is no scheduled movement to show support for the president to give way for the proceedings in the ICC.
The councilor said the city council is not passing a resolution, as a series of resolutions appealing to bring back home the former president have been passed in the past year.
“It is their right to express, but as far as I’m concerned, I believe more in the higher-up than human intervention. In this case, I feel it’s God’s will, and we will pray more,” he stressed.
