The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted former president Rodrigo Duterte permission to skip the annual hearing reviewing his detention, allowing the proceedings to continue in his absence.
In a decision dated February 25, 2026, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I approved Duterte’s request to waive his right to attend the detention hearing scheduled for February 27.
The Chamber said it was “appropriate to grant Mr Duterte’s Request,” noting that the former president submitted a written waiver confirming that he understood his right to be present and the legal consequences of declining to attend.
Judges also said nothing in the court’s legal framework requires the suspect’s presence during the annual review of detention under Rule 118(3) of the ICC’s rules.
Duterte’s defense team earlier informed the Chamber that he chose to be represented by counsel. According to the filing, the waiver document was read to him and was “understood, approved, and duly signed.”
Lawyers representing victims before the court said Duterte’s absence was disappointing for families hoping to see him appear before judges for the first time in the courtroom.
“It was their opportunity to see him for the first time in a courtroom of law facing the judges. We need to understand the symbolism of that,” said Paolina Massidda, counsel for the Common Legal Representatives of Victims.
Despite the absence, victims’ lawyers said the prosecution’s presentation of evidence over the first two days of proceedings was clear and understandable for those following the case in the Philippines.
Massidda said their own submissions focused on the lived experiences of victims and the impact of the alleged killings on families and communities.
“It was more focused on the real harm and the real suffering and the real story of the victims. And we think that the victims deserve that in front of the court of law,” she said.
The victims’ legal team said 539 victims have so far been authorized by the court to participate in the confirmation stage of the proceedings.
With the prosecution and victims’ presentations completed, the hearings will move to the defense stage, where Duterte’s lawyers are expected to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and legal arguments.
Victims’ lawyers said they remain confident in the strength of the prosecution’s case as the proceedings continue.