THE DEFENSE team for former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signaled a strategic approach to his upcoming confirmation hearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC), indicating they will not present an alibi, raise grounds for excluding criminal responsibility, or call witnesses at this stage.
In observations submitted to the ICC, Duterte’s legal representatives stated their intention to limit disclosures of information to prevent the Prosecution from gaining a strategic advantage.
While they will provide some documentary evidence, the defense emphasized that ongoing investigations should not be a cause for delaying the proceedings.
This development comes as the ICC continues its processes related to the case against the former president.
The confirmation hearing is a crucial stage in the ICC’s proceedings, where a Pre-Trial Chamber determines whether there is sufficient evidence to establish “substantial grounds to believe” that the suspect committed the crimes with which they are charged, before the case can proceed to trial.
Duterte was previously arrested in Manila on March 11, 2025, under an ICC warrant and subsequently transferred to The Hague.
He is accused of responsibility for deaths during his “war on drugs” campaign between 2016 and 2022.
Moreover, the defense’s decision not to present an alibi or call witnesses at the confirmation hearing suggests a focus on challenging the sufficiency of the Prosecution’s evidence based on the materials already presented, rather than introducing new factual defenses at this preliminary stage.
Their stance on limiting disclosures also highlights a tactical move to control the flow of information as the case progresses.
The ICC has set the confirmation of charges hearing to begin on Sept. 23, 2025.
