MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) will hold the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte in one-hour hearing blocks separated by 30-minute breaks, taking into account his age and medical condition.
During the fifth status conference on Nov. 2, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner said the court will follow the experts’ recommendations by dividing the daily proceedings into shorter sessions with regular breaks.
Under the schedule, hearings will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Manila time), followed by a 30-minute break before the second session from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m (6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Manila time).
The court will then break for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m (7:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. Manila time). Afternoon proceedings will resume from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Manila time), followed by another 30-minute break before the next session from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Manila time).
The schedule may be adjusted as the trial progresses.
In a ruling made public on Oct. 8, the ICC Trial Chamber III declared Duterte fit to stand trial after considering the findings of a panel of medical experts who assessed his ability to participate in the proceedings.
Duterte’s defense had raised concerns about his cognitive abilities, particularly his memory and capacity to follow the proceedings and assist in his defense.
The medical assessment considered whether he could understand the charges against him, follow the evidence, comprehend the proceedings and communicate effectively with his lawyers.
Duterte, 81, faces three counts of crimes against humanity involving murder and attempted murder allegedly committed in connection with his administration’s war on drugs and related operations between November 2011 and March 2019.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 30.
