ICC sets start of Duterte trial on November 30

MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has set the start of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s trial for crimes against humanity on Nov. 30, 2026 in The Hague, Netherlands.

The proceedings before Trial Chamber III will open at 10:00 a.m. The Hague time (5:00 p.m. Manila time).

Trial Chamber III is composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, Judge Keebong Paek, and Judge Nicolas Guillou, who will oversee the proceedings and ensure the rights of all parties and participants are respected.

Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity involving murder and attempted murder allegedly committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians in the Philippines between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019.

The charges cover three counts: alleged murders in Davao City during Duterte’s term as mayor from 2013 to around June 2016; alleged murders of so-called “high-value targets” across the country between around July 2016 and July 2017; and alleged murder and attempted murder linked to barangay clearance operations from around July 2016 to September 2018.

According to the ICC, the hearing will begin with judges confirming whether Duterte understands the nature of the charges against him. The former president will also be asked whether he admits guilt or pleads not guilty.

The chamber will then hear opening statements from prosecutors, legal representatives of victims, and the defense should it choose to deliver one.

The prosecution has been allotted six hours for its opening statement, while the common legal representatives of victims have been granted three hours.

The ICC said hearings will be held in four daily sessions: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Hague time. These correspond to 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Manila time.

The first prosecution witness is expected to testify after the opening statements are completed, with the court saying schedules may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

The hearings are scheduled to run from Nov. 30 onwards.