THE INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court (ICC) has initiated a new review of the pre-trial detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte, ordering all parties and participants to submit updated observations on his status by May 8, 2026.
In an order issued by Trial Chamber III on May 1, 2026, the Court noted that under its statutory framework, the detention of an accused must be reviewed at least every 120 days.
This latest procedural step follows a series of previous rulings that have consistently kept the former president in custody.
According to the Chamber’s documentation, Duterte’s defense team previously filed requests for interim release on September 26, 2025, which were rejected by Pre-Trial Chamber I and subsequently upheld by the Appeals Chamber in November 2025.
A follow-up review conducted by the Pre-Trial Chamber on January 26, 2026, also resulted in a decision to remand him to detention—a ruling that was further confirmed by the Appeals Chamber on March 6, 2026.
In light of these developments and following the annual detention review hearing held on February 27, 2026, the Trial Chamber stated it is now necessary to provide all parties with an opportunity to present current arguments regarding the necessity of continued detention or the possibility of release, either with or without conditions.
The Court is specifically seeking input on whether there have been any “changed circumstances” since the last review.
The submission deadline of May 8, 2026, serves as a critical procedural milestone in the ongoing case, The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as the Court continues to weigh arguments concerning the legal requirements of pre-trial custody.
The order was signed by Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, along with Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou.
