In brief
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that Rodrigo Duterte is fit to participate in legal proceedings regarding alleged crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. A confirmation hearing for charges is set for February 23, 2026. Duterte's defense previously claimed he was unfit for trial, but the court found him capable of exercising his procedural rights.
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
The ICC also set a confirmation of charges hearing on 23 February, where judges will decide whether the prosecution's case against Duterte is strong enough to proceed to trial.
Duterte's lawyers earlier argued that the 80-year-old is unfit to participate in the ICC proceedings. He has been detained at the Hague since March last year.
He is accused of being criminally responsible for dozens of murders under his so-called war on drugs, during which thousands of small-time drug dealers, users, and others were killed without trial.
Duterte served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, justifying his war on drugs by claiming it would lead to peace and economic development.
Citing opinions from a panel of medical experts, ICC judges stated they were satisfied that Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings.
They also noted that having the mental capacities to exercise one's fair trial rights does not have to be at their notionally highest level.
This ruling tells victims that in the reckoning of Duterte at the ICC, their voices will not be sidelined by technical evasions, commented Congresswoman Leila de Lima, one of Duterte's fiercest critics who was jailed during his presidency on drug charges later found to be false.
Duterte was arrested at Manila airport in March 2025 as his family's alliance with his successor, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr, crumbled.
His arrest has divided public opinion in the Philippines. While his deadly drugs crackdown has drawn criticism from civil society, his populist messaging resonates with those marginalized by the political elite in Manila.
In May last year, Duterte was elected mayor of Davao city despite being in prison. His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, is also widely expected to run for president in the 2028 elections, where Marcos is ineligible to seek re-election.
