Manila. In the office of the president, it was announced that the International Criminal Court (ICC) justly conducts proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte and respects his rights, regardless of the charges of crimes against humanity linked to the narcotics operations of his administration. The press secretary of the Malacanang Palace, Andersecretary advocate Clair Castro, acknowledged that Duterte’s first appearance before the ICC indicates the just conduct of justice. She noted that the former president was guaranteed his fundamental rights as a suspect, rejecting claims from his camp. According to a video conference from The Hague, Duterte participated in a session of the pretrial chamber of the ICC, where his advocate, former Secretary Salvador Medialdea, asserted that Duterte has been "sick" and suffers from medical issues. Nevertheless, Castro confirmed that the court acknowledged that Duterte is mentally healthy, and the timeline of the proceedings is not required. The next hearing to confirm charges against Duterte has been scheduled for September 23, 2025.
