The International Criminal Court rejects a request by victims’ legal counsel to use Tagalog during portions of the opening statements in the trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The decision is issued by the ICC Trial Chamber hearing the crimes against humanity case.
In all reports, the judges rule that English will be the sole language used throughout the trial. Inquirer and GMA specify that the ruling is made by Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, who says the court will follow the Rome Statute’s requirements and addresses the victims’ desire to understand the proceedings in their language.
While the outlets largely agree on the core outcome and language decision, their emphasis differs slightly: some headlines frame the rejection generally, while others highlight the presiding judge’s role and the stated trial start timing. None of the summaries provided introduce substantially different facts about the substance of the case.
