Judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
The ICC also set a confirmation of charges hearing on February 23, where judges will decide whether the prosecution's case against Duterte is strong enough to proceed to a trial.
Duterte's lawyers earlier argued that the 80-year-old is unfit to participate in the ICC proceedings. He has been detained at the Hague since March last year.
He is accused of being criminally responsible for dozens of murders under his so-called war on drugs, during which thousands of small-time drug dealers, users, and others were killed without trial.
Duterte was president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He justified his war on drugs by saying peace and order would pave the way for economic development.
Citing opinions from a panel of medical experts, ICC judges said they were satisfied that Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings.
ICC judges also stated that the mental capacities needed to meaningfully exercise one's procedural and fair trial rights did not have to be at their notionally highest level.
This ruling informs victims that in the reckoning of Duterte at the ICC, their voices will not be sidelined by technical evasions, remarked Congresswoman Leila de Lima, a notable critic of Duterte who faced false drug charges during his presidency.
Duterte was arrested at Manila airport in March 2025 as his family's alliance with his successor, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. crumbled. His arrest has polarized Filipino society, with considerable criticism from civil groups regarding his deadly drugs crackdown, counterbalanced by strong support from those feeling marginalized by the political elite.
Despite being imprisoned, Duterte was elected mayor of Davao city in May last year, and his daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, is expected to run for president in the upcoming 2028 elections, as Marcos is ineligible for a second term.
