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The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I denies the request of former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea to move the initial appearance hearing of former president Rodrigo Duterte to next week.
“This is an initial hearing in order for Mr. Duterte to be aware of his right and the charges against him,” Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc said during the hearing, which lasted for about 25 minutes.
“And then there will be a full procedure that will unfurl leading out to the confirmation of charges that will enable Mr. Duterte to raise all the matters that you have just raised with regard to the warrant of arrest, with regard to the crimes committed, with regard to the charges and any other matters associated with his arrest and the matters of jurisdiction of the court,” she added.
Responding to Medialdea’s manifestation that they did not have much time to confer with Duterte before his first appearance, the judge said: “This first initial appearance hearing, it does not need much preparation as I have said to you in a number of occasions.”
The hearing for the confirmation of charges against Duterte will be on September 23, 2025.
Duterte, 79, appeared via video link in consideration of his long trip to The Hague.
“With regard to the health issues of Mr. Duterte, I believe that the court has taken specific measures with regard to his health situation,” Motoc said.
“Subsequent to his arrest and when he arrived in the detention center, the court doctor was of the opinion that you were fully, mentally aware and fit, and that you have undergone further checks and tests at the detention facility,” she added, addressing the former president.
“This is an initial hearing in order for Mr. Duterte to be aware of his right and the charges against him,” Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc said during the hearing, which lasted for about 25 minutes.
“And then there will be a full procedure that will unfurl leading out to the confirmation of charges that will enable Mr. Duterte to raise all the matters that you have just raised with regard to the warrant of arrest, with regard to the crimes committed, with regard to the charges and any other matters associated with his arrest and the matters of jurisdiction of the court,” she added.
Responding to Medialdea’s manifestation that they did not have much time to confer with Duterte before his first appearance, the judge said: “This first initial appearance hearing, it does not need much preparation as I have said to you in a number of occasions.”
The hearing for the confirmation of charges against Duterte will be on September 23, 2025.
Duterte, 79, appeared via video link in consideration of his long trip to The Hague.
“With regard to the health issues of Mr. Duterte, I believe that the court has taken specific measures with regard to his health situation,” Motoc said.
“Subsequent to his arrest and when he arrived in the detention center, the court doctor was of the opinion that you were fully, mentally aware and fit, and that you have undergone further checks and tests at the detention facility,” she added, addressing the former president.
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