Today, 27 February 2026, the confirmation of charges hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte concluded before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), composed of Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc (Presiding judge), and Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera.
The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is for the judges to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the suspect committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, in full or in part, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
After hearing the oral submissions of the Prosecutor, the Common Legal Representatives of the Victims and the Defence, the judges heard their respective closing statements. The hearing on the confirmation of charges took place in the absence of the suspect following the Chamber granting Mr Duterte's request to waive his right to attend the hearing.
The judges will now start their deliberations. In accordance with Regulation 53 of the Regulations of the Court, the Pre-Trial Chamber shall deliver its written decision within 60 days of the date on which the confirmation hearing ends. The Pre-Trial Chamber may then:
- confirm those charges for which the Chamber has determined that there is sufficient evidence, and commit the suspect to trial before a Trial Chamber;
- decline to confirm those charges for which it has determined that there is insufficient evidence and stop the proceedings against Mr Duterte;
- adjourn the hearing and request the Prosecutor to provide further evidence, to conduct further investigations or to amend any charge for which the evidence submitted appears to establish a crime other than the one charged was committed.
The Defence and the Prosecutor cannot directly appeal this decision. However they can request authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber to appeal it.
Background: Mr Duterte is suspected of the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the 'war on drugs' campaign. Following a request of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, the warrant of arrest against Mr Duterte was issued by the Chamber as "Secret" on 7 March 2025 and reclassified as "Public" on 11 March 2025. On 12 March 2025, Mr Duterte was surrendered to the ICC.
The initial appearance of Mr Duterte took place on 14 March 2025. On 8 September 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I postponed the confirmation hearing, initially scheduled to start on 23 September 2025, to adjudicate the Defence's Adjournment Request concerning Mr Duterte's fitness to participate in the proceedings. On 26 January 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I found Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings and scheduled the commencement of the confirmation of charges hearing for 23 February 2026.
Related information:
- Order setting the schedule and directions for the confirmation of charges hearing
- Decision on the 'Defence Request for an Indefinite Adjournment'
- Prosecution's Document Containing the Charges
- Prosecution's Pre-Confirmation Brief
- Questions and answers on the Confirmation of charges hearing: English, French
- Case page: English, French
