Duterte at the ICC: Key dates to remember

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(1st UPDATE) Rappler has compiled the important dates to keep track of in the ongoing Duterte proceedings at the International Criminal Court

(Editor’s note: This story has been updated to focus on dates related to the confirmation of charges hearings)

All eyes are on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte move forward over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his deadly drug war.

On January 26, the ICC pre-trial chamber found Duterte “able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings,” following the defense’s argument that he is medically and cognitively unfit to stand trial. 

This decision came after two key developments in the latter part of 2025, including the court upholding its jurisdiction, and the subsequent rejection by the pre-trial and appeals chambers of the former president’s request for an interim release.

The next big event is the confirmation of charges hearing set to start on February 23, where Duterte will be officially informed of the specific evidence against him. The judges will then decide if there is enough evidence for the case to go on trial. 

Rappler has compiled the important dates to keep track of, in the ongoing ICC proceedings on Duterte. This page will be updated as more information comes in. 

For other ICC-related developments, you can read Rappler’s exhaustive timeline that covers events beginning almost 2016.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026

The confirmation of charges hearing opens on Monday, February 23.

Proceedings begin at 10 am Netherlands (NL) time, or 5 pm Philippine (PH) time, with the reading of charges. The prosecution will then have 30 minutes to deliver its opening statement, followed by a 30-minute break.

At 11:30 am NL time (6:30 pm PH time), the victims’ legal representatives and the defense will each be given 30 minutes for their opening statements.

By 2 pm NL time (9 pm PH time), the prosecution will return to present its submissions on the merits. It is allotted 60 minutes for this purpose.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026

The second day of the confirmation of charges continues on Tuesday, February 24, starting at 10 am NL time (5 pm PH time). The prosecution will have 60 minutes to further discuss its submissions on the merits, followed by a 30-minute break.

The second session begins at 11:30 am NL time (6:30 pm PH time), during which the prosecution will be given another 30 minutes to present its arguments. The victims’ legal representatives will then have 30 minutes for their own submissions.

After a 90-minute break, the third session starts at 2 pm NL time (9 pm PH time), giving the victims’ legal representatives an additional 60 minutes to continue their submissions.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026

Thursday, February 26, is reserved for Duterte’s defense team.

The defense will be allotted a total of 180 minutes to present its submissions, spread across three sessions. Proceedings begin at 10 am NL time (5 pm PH time), with a 30-minute break and a 90-minute break scheduled between sessions.

FEBRUARY 27, 2026

The final day of the confirmation of charges hearing begins on Friday, February 27, at 10 am NL time (5 pm PH time), with a 30-minute continuation of the defense’s submissions.

The prosecution will then have 30 minutes for its closing statement, followed by a 30-minute break.

By 11:30 am NL time (6:30 pm PH time), the victims’ legal representatives and the defense will each deliver their closing statements, allotted 30 minutes each.

The chamber will then conduct a 60-minute hearing on the review of Duterte’s detention, during which all three parties will present their submissions. Proceedings are scheduled to conclude at 3 pm NL time (10 pm PH time). – Rappler.com