THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has directed parties in the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte to submit observations on his continued detention, setting a deadline of May 8, 2026.
In an order dated May 1 but made public Monday, Trial Chamber III said it was seeking updated positions from the prosecution, defense, and other participants on whether Duterte should remain in custody or be released.
The chamber, composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, Judge Keebong Paek, and Judge Nicolas Guillou, noted that under the Rome Statute, pre-trial detention must be reviewed at least every 120 days.
The order followed a series of earlier rulings affirming Duterte’s detention. In September 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I denied his request for interim release, a decision later upheld by the Appeals Chamber in November 2025.
The pre-trial chamber again reviewed Duterte’s detention in January 2026 and ordered that he remain in custody, a ruling affirmed on appeal in March 2026.
An annual hearing on the review of detention was also held on Feb. 27, during which both parties and participants presented their arguments.
Under the ICC’s statutory framework, pre-trial detention must be reviewed at least every 120 days. In light of developments following the February hearing, the judges said they considered it necessary to give parties “the opportunity to submit any observations they may have regarding the accused’s continued detention or release, with or without conditions, including the existence of any changed circumstances.”
