Duterte waives right to attend 5th status conference at ICC

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has officially waived his right to appear at the upcoming fifth status conference scheduled for November 2, 2026. 

According to a filing submitted by the Defence on October 30, 2026, and presided over by Trial Chamber III—comprising Judge Joanna Korner, Judge Keebong Paek, and Judge Nicolas Guillou—the defense team notified the court of Duterte’s decision on October 28. 

The Trial Chamber granted the request on October 29 and directed the defense to place the signed waiver on the official record. 

In compliance with the directive, Lead Counsel Peter Haynes, KC, submitted the signed document as an annex to the filing. Through the waiver, Duterte has formally instructed his legal counsel to handle all procedural matters listed on the status conference agenda, as well as any other issues that may arise during the hearing.

Trial Chamber III has set out specific agenda items for the upcoming status conference for the preparation of the trial in the Duterte case.

The Chamber will sit from 10:00 to 11:30 CET (5:00 PM to 6:30 PM PHT) and, if needed, from 12:00 to 13:30 CET (7:00 PM to 8:30 PM), with the hearing streamed with a 30-minute delay on the ICC website and Facebook accounts. 

The agenda includes the daily sitting schedule, audio-visual link testimony, and rights of audience, as well as the list of witnesses and the number of hours for the prosecution’s presentation of evidence. Additional agenda items feature potentially exculpatory evidence, agreed facts and calling order, Rule 68(3) applications, in-court protective measures, and the security of defense missions. Because the Chamber has approved his request, Mr. Duterte will not be present in the status conference.