ICC grants Duterte request to skip own pre-trial hearingMANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court has allowed former President Rodrigo Duterte to sit out his own pre-trial hearing next week, granting his request to waive his right to attend the proceedings despite objections from both prosecutors and victims' representatives. Duterte's defense team requested to waive his right to participate in the confirmation of charges hearing on February 16. Both the ICC Office of the Prosecutor and the Common Legal Representatives of Victims earlier opposed the request, arguing there was no reasonable cause for Duterte to skip the hearing. ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said in a statement that Duterte's absence is based solely on his own request to skip the hearing and not on health grounds. Only during the confirmation hearing.

Source: Philippine Star February 20, 2026 09:45 UTC