MANILA, Feb 13: Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will face the confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on February 23 after judges rejected his appeal challenging an earlier ruling that found him fit to stand trial.

In a decision released Friday, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I dismissed all grounds raised by Duterte’s defence, clearing the way for the next stage of proceedings in The Hague.

On January 26, the Chamber ruled that Duterte was medically fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings and denied his request for an indefinite adjournment. The decision was based on an assessment conducted by a panel of three independent medical experts, who evaluated Duterte’s health in light of all relevant circumstances.

Duterte’s legal team filed an appeal on February 2, arguing that the Chamber had ignored key clinical evidence suggesting he was unfit to stand trial. The defence also claimed the judges erred in rejecting a request for a hearing on his fitness, failed to clearly explain their reasoning, and did not adequately consider how their findings could affect Duterte’s ability to participate in the proceedings.

However, the judges rejected all four arguments.

In its latest ruling, the Chamber — composed of presiding judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and judge María del Socorro Flores Liera — said the defence had “misrepresented” the findings of the January 26 decision. The court noted that the medical reports cited by Duterte’s team had been submitted to and considered by the independent panel of experts before it reached its conclusion.

The judges further said the defence failed to demonstrate any significant conflict or inconsistency that would undermine the experts’ overall assessment of Duterte’s fitness.

The Chamber emphasized that it relied solely on the panel’s joint conclusion, which incorporated the defence’s medical submissions, in order to safeguard the fairness of proceedings. It added that the experts were selected for their experience in handling fitness issues before international tribunals and found no evidence suggesting they lacked the expertise necessary to reach their conclusions.

Addressing concerns raised by the defence about Duterte’s health potentially deteriorating during trial, the Chamber described such arguments as speculative. It stressed that the January 26 ruling does not prejudge his long-term fitness and does not prevent the court from revisiting the issue should circumstances change.

The confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time in The Hague on February 23 and will continue on February 24, 26 and 27. Prosecutors, the defence and legal representatives of victims are expected to present oral arguments before the judges.

Within 60 days after the hearing concludes, the Chamber will decide whether to confirm the charges. If confirmed, in whole or in part, the case will move to a Trial Chamber for the next phase of proceedings.

Duterte is suspected of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president of the Philippines as part of his controversial “war on drugs” campaign.

Official police figures acknowledge more than 6,000 deaths linked to anti-drug operations, while human rights groups estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000.