Friday, September 4, 2026

ICC constitutes chamber committee to oversee Duterte’s trial 

Trial Chamber III is composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, alongside Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou.

• April 29, 2026
Ex- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
Ex- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte [Credit: Al Jazeera]

The Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has constituted Trial Chamber III to preside over the case of The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, a former president of Philippines. 

Trial Chamber III is composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, alongside Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou.

The Chamber will oversee all aspects of the trial proceedings, including convening status conferences, engaging with parties and participants, setting a trial date, and adopting procedures to ensure a fair and expeditious hearing.

The ICC Presidency also issued decisions formally constituting Trial Chamber III, assigning it to the Duterte case, and notifying the election of Mr Korner as presiding judge.

Following a request by the Office of the Prosecutor, an arrest warrant against Mr Duterte was issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I on 7 March 2025 under seal and later made public on 11 March 2025.

Mr Duterte was surrendered to the ICC on March 12, 2025 and made his initial appearance on March 14, 2025.

The confirmation of charges hearing was held from February 23 to 27, 2026 before Pre-Trial Chamber I, presided over by Iulia Antoanella Motoc, with Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera.

During the hearing, submissions were presented by the prosecution, the defence, and the common legal representatives of victims. 

Mr Duterte was absent after the Chamber granted his request to waive his right to attend the proceedings.

In April 23, 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed charge comprising three counts of crimes against humanity preferred against Mr Duterte, committing him to trial before a Trial Chamber.

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