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Janvic Mateo - The Philippine Star
December 7, 2025 | 12:00am
Former President Rodrigo Duterte
PNA / File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The independent panel of medical experts have completed their medical evaluation of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte and submitted their reports to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The Defense has been provided with the reports of the Court-appointed panel of experts,” Duterte’s counsel Nicholas Kaufman told reporters yesterday.
“The contents of these reports are confidential and the parties have been invited to make any observations on them by Dec. 12,” he added.
It is unclear if the ICC will release a redacted copy of the medical reports.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I earlier formed a three-member panel to assess Duterte’s fitness to stand trial.
Kaufman earlier moved for the adjournment of the proceedings, claiming that Duterte is suffering from cognitive decline that rendered him unfit to stand trial.
The panel, composed of experts in forensic psychiatry, neuropsychology and geriatric and behavioral neurology, was tasked to determine “whether and, if so, at what level Mr. Duterte suffers from any medical condition which might have an effect on his ability to follow and take part in the ongoing pre-trial proceedings, including the confirmation of charges hearings.”
It was also tasked to assess whether any special measures or adjustments are recommended to address any of Duterte’s medical conditions.
The assessment was to focus on Duterte’s capacities that are necessary for “the meaningful exercise of his procedural and fair trial rights,” such as being able to understand the charges, evidence and the conduct of pre-trial proceedings.
“The Chamber instructs the Panel to only utilize the information it receives for the purpose of formulating its reports, and orders it not to divulge any information without prior approval of the Chamber,” the pre-trial chamber said in its Sept. 24 decision forming the panel.
The ICC prosecutor, Duterte’s defense team and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) were given until Dec. 12 to submit their observations.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I will then decide on Duterte’s request for adjournment of the proceedings due to his supposed medical condition.
Both the ICC prosecutor and the OPCV, which represents the collective interests of the victims, have opposed the said request of the defense.
