The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled on the 22nd that it has jurisdiction over the case of former Philippine President Duterte, rejecting the defense lawyers’ request for his immediate release.
On the same day, Presiding Judge Caransa of the ICC Appeals Chamber read the verdict. Prosecutors, Duterte’s defense lawyers, and legal representatives of other related parties listened to the ruling. Duterte himself did not appear in court.
The ruling dismissed the four grounds of appeal raised by Duterte’s defense regarding applicable law, legal procedures, etc., and determined that all alleged criminal acts by Duterte occurred while the Philippines was still a member of the ICC. In addition, the prosecution had started its investigation before the Philippines withdrew, so the ICC has the authority to continue hearing the Duterte case.
Duterte's daughter, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, previously made a video statement regarding the ICC ruling, stating: “We must stay vigilant regarding the weaponization of law and unconstitutional foreign interference that seeks to circumvent Philippine courts.”
Sister of Philippine President Disappointed by Ruling
Philippine Senator Imee Marcos, sister of current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., expressed her disappointment at the ICC’s decision.
She made a statement saying the decision ignored the fact that the Philippines had withdrawn from the Rome Statute of the ICC and violated the fundamental principle that the Philippine judiciary has primary jurisdiction. She added that the ICC's move raises serious concerns about the inviolability of national sovereignty and the reasonable limits of international jurisdiction.
On October 23, 2025, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the defense's challenge to the Court's jurisdiction. The defense subsequently filed an appeal on jurisdiction on November 14.
While serving as mayor of Davao and later as Philippine president, Duterte launched anti-drug campaigns. In February 2018, the ICC notified the Philippine government that it would conduct a preliminary examination to determine whether Duterte’s anti-drug campaign had committed human rights violations.
The Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019. On March 11, 2025, Duterte was detained by police at Manila International Airport upon returning from abroad, after being served with an ICC arrest warrant. The plane carrying Duterte arrived in The Hague the following day.