ICC Approves Special Medical Accommodations for Former President Duterte
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially granted special medical accommodations for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during the upcoming confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for February 2026. This decision comes as part of the court's commitment to ensuring fair proceedings while addressing health concerns.
Details of the Medical Accommodations
According to an order issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC, the hearing will be limited to three hours per day with hourly breaks to reduce physical fatigue for the former president. These accommodations are based on recommendations from doctors at the ICC Detention Centre, emphasizing the need to balance judicial processes with health considerations.
Schedule and Time Allocations for the Hearing
The confirmation of charges hearing is set to take place over four days: February 23, 24, 26, and 27, 2026. In line with principles of justice and equality, the defense will be allocated 3 hours and 30 minutes for presentation, compared to 2 hours and 30 minutes for the prosecution. Representatives of the victims will have 1 hour and 30 minutes, with all sides receiving 30 minutes each for opening and closing statements.
Additional Proceedings and Flexibility
During the final session on February 27, the ICC will concurrently hold an annual detention review hearing for Duterte. In this session, the prosecution, victims, and defense are expected to submit oral arguments. The court has noted that the schedule may be adjusted depending on the hearing's progress, with the possibility of starting the next presentation early if sessions conclude ahead of time.
This development highlights the ICC's efforts to maintain procedural fairness while accommodating health needs, setting a precedent for similar cases in international law.
