Duterte’s ICC bid to remove judges unanimously denied
(FILE PHOTO) Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen with his lawyer Salvador Medialdea (L) in the courtroom during his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charge of crimes against humanity over his deadly crackdown on narcotics, in The Hague on 14 March 2025. The 79-year-old, the first ex-Asian head of state to face charges at the ICC, followed by videolink during a short hearing to inform him of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant. Duterte stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups said killed thousands.
Peter Dejong / POOL / AFP
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has unanimously rejected an attempt by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team to disqualify two judges from ruling on the Court’s jurisdiction over the Philippines.
In a decision dated 9 June 2025 and signed by ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane, the plenary of judges dismissed Duterte’s request to remove Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera from the Pre-Trial Chamber handling the case The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. A detailed explanation of the ruling will be issued at a later date.
The jurisdictional challenge is a key procedural issue in the ongoing proceedings against Duterte, who faces a trial at The Hague, Netherlands over his administration’s anti-drug campaign.