The International Criminal Court (ICC) has set the formal schedule for the second status conference in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his bloody 'war on drugs.'
Schedule and Key Issues
According to a public order released by the ICC on Thursday, the status conference will take place on June 23, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (local time). The Trial Chamber III of the ICC said that five main issues will be discussed during the hearing:
- Deadline for submission of observations on the Expert Panel Report
- Adoption of a protocol for handling confidential information
- Limitation on the length of the Prosecution Trial Brief
- Setting of subsequent status conferences after the judicial recess
- Public statements by counsel
Previous Status Conference
The first status conference was held on May 27, 2026, where the court decided that a second session was necessary for a more detailed discussion on the case process. As preparation, the court on June 12 requested submissions of suggestions for topics to be discussed. According to records, only the prosecution submitted recommendations on June 17, while the defense and Registry stated they had no additional items to submit.
Public and Private Sessions
Although the status conference is public, the ICC clarified that private sessions may be held if necessary, especially to avoid disclosure of sensitive information related to witness protection and security. "The status conference will be public," according to the ICC panel. However, it may be interrupted from public viewing when security issues arise. The court also confirmed that Duterte will not attend the hearing after waiving his right to appear.
