The International Criminal Court (ICC) continues preparing the conduct of the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity, with attention on courtroom scheduling and the handling of recorded witness testimony. Coverage focuses on how Trial Chamber III manages procedure ahead of the trial’s scheduled start on November 30, including who must attend and how sessions will be structured.
Several outlets report on the ICC adopting practical trial logistics: shorter trial-day blocks with breaks, revised evidentiary schedules for the early phase of hearings, and measures to accommodate the former president’s physical stamina and medical advice. Reporting also notes that Duterte skips a final status conference after waiving his right to appear, but is expected to attend personally during the trial itself.
Alongside scheduling, outlets describe ongoing disputes over evidence. ICC prosecutors seek to admit multiple sets of prior recorded testimonies to help expedite proceedings, including testimony tied to alleged patterns such as “Oplan Tokhang,” extrajudicial killings, and a “narco list.” Duterte’s defence is reported as opposing at least one such bid, while another report highlights prosecutors’ arguments that some police accounts are “fabricated.” Other coverage provides an explainer of the ICC’s rules on using prior witness testimonies (Rules 68.2 and 68.3) and discusses logistical challenges where witnesses testify via audio-visual link from the Philippines.
