Rodrigo Duterte won't attend fifth ICC status conference ahead of trial

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Former President Rodrigo Duterte listens through headphones at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 during the fourth status conference in his case. Screenshot from ICC livestream

Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not attend the fifth status conference before the start of his crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on November 30.

In a document released on Friday, Duterte's counsel, Peter Haynes, said Trial Chamber III had granted the former president's request to waive his appearance at the November 2 status conference, allowing him to be represented by his lawyers.

Duterte previously attended the third and fourth status conferences.

The fifth status conference will tackle the list of witnesses, number of hours for the prosecution's presentation of evidence, potentially exculpatory evidence, agreed facts, as well as protective measures inside the courtroom, among other matters.

Duterte has been in ICC custody since March 2025 in connection with charges over killings during his tenure as Davao City mayor and in relation to the war on drugs during his presidency. —VBL, GMA News