Rodrigo Duterte attends ICC hearing in person for the first time

ATTENDANCE. Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte appears before the International Criminal Court, as the court hears arguments regarding Duterte's health and ability to stand trial, while he faces murder charges related to his war on drugs, in The Hague, Netherlands, September 16 2026.

REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool

Unlike in the first two status conferences, Duterte did not waive his appearance during the 3rd conference on September 16

MANILA, Philippines – Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who’s facing three counts of crimes against humanity over his drug war, personally appeared during the third status conference hearing of his case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This is Duterte’s first in-person appearance, and his second overall after his online attendance during the ICC’s initial hearing on March 14, 2025.

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner mentioned Duterte’s attendance during the Wednesday hearing on September 16. ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet confirmed this as well to Rappler.

As of writing, the ICC has yet to release photos or videos of Duterte during the hearing.

Unlike in the first two status conferences, Duterte did not waive his appearance this time.

“To date, no waiver request has been made by the Defence publicly. The Chamber noted in the previous Status Conference that the accused would be expected to attend the Status Conference in September,” Maillet told Rappler.

“And for that, certainly, Mr. [Peter] Haynes, we would expect Mr. Duterte to be here unless there’s some medical issue,” Korner said on June 23.

Duterte has been detained in The Hague, Netherlands since 2025, and became the first former Philippine head of state to be arrested through an order by an international tribunal.

His case is currently at the trial stage after the pre-trial chamber, on April 23, confirmed all the three charges against the former president. A day before the pre-trial chamber’s decision on the confirmation of charges, the ICC Appeals Chamber also denied with finality Duterte’s jurisdiction appeal. This cleared the way for the trial.

Duterte’s full-blown trial will begin on November 30. – Rappler.com