Marcoleta ‘happy’ as Duterte appears in ‘good condition’ at ICC

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday said he is “happy” as he noted that former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to be in good condition after appearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time.

Marcoleta made the remarks after his bail hearing for plunder at the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which allowed the interview to be conducted inside the courtroom.

The senator, who is currently behind bars at Payatas jail, said he only saw Duterte after someone showed him the pictures from social media.

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“I am happy because I saw him at least,” Marcoleta, perceived to be part of the pro-Duterte bloc in the Senate, said.

He also noted that he had filed a motion in ICC so he could visit Duterte in prison, which he said was denied.

“That was the first time I saw him,” he also noted. “When I saw him, he was in good condition, I could say, when you look at his face, I am happy for him.”

Duterte finally appeared in person before the ICC Trial Chamber III on Wednesday during the third status conference in his crimes against humanity case.

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Wednesday’s proceedings marked the first time Duterte personally appeared before the tribunal since he was arrested in March 2025.

Duterte has been detained in the ICC for three counts of alleged crimes against humanity charges against him.

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On March 12, 2025, Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and detained at Villamor Air Base the same day before being flown to The Hague.

A complaint against Duterte was filed with the ICC in June 2017.

Duterte declared the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute or the treaty which established the ICC, in March 2018. 

The withdrawal took effect a year after or in March 2019.

Despite this, the ICC said it retained jurisdiction over alleged crimes in the Philippines — from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019 — while the country was still a state party.

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At least 6,000 people were killed during the war on drugs under Duterte’s administration, according to official government data. However, human rights watchdogs and the ICC prosecutor estimate the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019. /mr