MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte has waived his right to attend the fifth status conference in his crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Nov. 2, 2026, allowing his lawyers to handle procedural matters on his behalf.
In a filing dated Oct. 30, Duterte's defense team submitted his signed waiver to the ICC Trial Chamber III, complying with the chamber's directive to formally place the document on record.
The defense said Duterte had notified the chamber on Oct. 28 that he wished to waive his right to attend the scheduled conference.
On Oct. 29, the chamber granted the request and ordered the defense to submit a signed waiver, according to the filing.
Duterte also instructed his lawyers to address the procedural matters listed on the conference agenda, as well as any other matters that may arise during the hearing.
The fifth status conference is scheduled for Nov. 2 before Trial Chamber III, composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner and Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou.
The status conference is a procedural hearing in the case of the prosecution against Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his administration's anti-drug campaign.
