Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appeared in person before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for the first time. The 81-year-old, who has been detained since March 2025, wore a dark suit and white shirt during the status hearing, marking his first physical appearance since his arrest in Manila 18 months ago. Although he did not speak, he waved to family members in the public gallery when the proceedings concluded.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs, which resulted in the alleged summary execution of tens of thousands of small-time dealers between November 2011 and March 2019. The upcoming trial is scheduled to begin on November 30.
The Wednesday hearing was convened after Duterte’s legal team argued that the former leader’s deteriorating health renders him unfit to stand trial. Defense lawyer Peter Haynes previously stated that his client suffers from significant memory impairment, while prosecutors have contested this claim. Judges are currently deliberating on Duterte’s mental fitness and have ordered a medical assessment by three specialists.
According to reports from AFP, defense lawyers indicated that the assessment revealed Duterte believes he is living in 2007 or 2008, thinks he is 84 or 85 years old, and could not recall the name of former US President Donald Trump. Duterte was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune condition causing nerve malfunction, in 2019.
Relatives of victims watched the livestreamed proceedings from Manila. Llore Pasco, who lost two sons during the anti-drug campaign, told Reuters that he was relieved to see Duterte appear in court and noted the former president seemed to have gained weight. Randy Delos Santos, who lost a teenage nephew in 2017, expressed hope that Duterte’s physical presence would accelerate the hearings.
Duterte’s political journey has been closely tied to his stance on law and order, a central pillar of his presidency from 2016 to 2022. He withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in March 2019, but his arrest at Manila airport followed the collapse of his political alliance with current President Ferdinand Marcos. Duterte’s daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, is now engaged in a fierce political rivalry with the Marcos administration.
Sara Duterte, a potential candidate in the 2028 elections, is currently facing an impeachment trial on charges of misusing public funds and allegedly threatening to assassinate President Marcos, his wife, and a relative. A conviction would disqualify her from holding public office.
The detail about him not recognizing Donald Trump is surprising. It adds a strange layer to the health reports, making one question the full extent of his cognitive decline.
Watching him wave at his family felt oddly casual for such a grave hearing. I wonder if the prosecutors will challenge the fitness ruling or appeal any decision.
Is the ICC really the place to sort out Philippine domestic politics? It feels like this case is becoming entangled in the current power struggle between the Dutertes and Marcos.
I hope this speeds up the trial. We have waited too long for justice regarding the thousands of lives lost during the war on drugs. Accountability matters.
It is quite striking that he now believes he is living in 2007. That level of memory impairment must surely impact his ability to mount a proper legal defense.