MANILA, Philippines — The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied the request of former president Rodrigo Duterte to disqualify the external legal representatives of victims involved in the proceedings on his anti-drug campaign.
In a nine-page decision dated Feb. 20, 2026, the chamber determined that the defense did not adequately demonstrate any conflict of interest or legal impediment that would warrant the removal of the victims’ legal team.
The chamber stated, “The Defense’s arguments are therefore speculative and hypothetical, and as such, are unsuitable to characterize an alleged conflict of interest,” thereby rejecting the motion.
