Former Bayan Muna Partylist Chairperson, Atty. Neri Colmenares said the legal maneuvers by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team appear designed to delay the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings concerning the Philippine “war on drugs.”

In an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Colmenares explained that the upcoming ICC session on Monday, February 23, is only a “confirmation of charges,” not the start of the trial. If the court confirms the charges, a trial chamber will be constituted and the case will proceed to a full trial.

The ICC gives the accused extensive due process rights, including opportunities to file motions and challenge evidence before trial begins.

Colmenares said Duterte’s multiple motions—including requests for interim release, challenges to jurisdiction, and attempts to disqualify lawyers representing victims—suggest a deliberate effort to slow the process.

“Normally, kung inosente ka, pag nasa kulungan ka, right to speedy trial i-claim mo. Bilisan niyo na 'to para makalaya na ako,” Colmenares said.

“Siya baliktad kasi ako tingin ko, alam niya kasi na pag may trial na medyo may problema na siyang malaki kasi ebidensya na yun,” the lawyer added further, noting that it may become hard to find evidence disproving Duterte’s role in the controversial drug war.

Addressing public curiosity about Duterte’s appearance, Colmenares said he does not expect anything unusual to alarm viewers.

“Pag nakakulong ka, pwede namang pumayat ka talaga. Marami naman nakakulong sa bilibid talaga, siyempre, payat na payat, may sakit pa nga na malala,” he said, referencing past cases of incarcerated patients denied medical treatment.

Colmenares also emphasized that the drug war victims’ families are primarily concerned with justice.

“Ano naman siyempre ang mga biktima, wala naman kaming… hindi naman kami nagdadasal na may mangyari sa kanya. Gusto nga namin, kasi alam mo, pag may nangyari sa kanya, o di tapos na yung kaso. Ano pang magagawa mo. Dismiss na yun. So wala naman kaming gano'n,” the lawyer said.

“Hindi naman masamang maawa. Kaawaan yung isang katulad niya. Pero kung may gustong maawa sa kanya, pero isipin din natin, kaawaan din natin yung mga pamilya,” he added.

Colmenares also clarified that confirmation of charges at the ICC is similar to establishing probable cause.

If the pre-trial chamber confirms the charges, the case moves to trial. If not, prosecutors may be asked to provide additional evidence. He stressed that the case against Duterte remains strong from any legal perspective, and he doubts the defense could prove a lack of involvement in the drug war.

The ICC case arises from allegations that Duterte’s administration oversaw a campaign of extrajudicial killings during anti-drug operations from 2016 to 2022.