The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings, paving the way for the confirmation of charges hearing to begin on February 23, 2026.

In a decision issued on January 26, 2026, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the defense’s request for an indefinite adjournment, which claimed that Duterte was medically unfit to take part in the proceedings. The Chamber based its ruling on assessments conducted by a panel of three independent medical experts, whose reports were submitted in December 2025 and reviewed by the prosecution, defense, and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims.

The Chamber said it was satisfied that Duterte is capable of effectively exercising his procedural rights, allowing pre-trial proceedings to resume. It added that specific measures recommended by medical experts to facilitate Duterte’s participation will be included in a forthcoming order detailing the hearing schedule and guidelines.

The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that Duterte committed the crimes charged. If one or more charges are confirmed, the case will proceed to trial before a Trial Chamber.

Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 2011 and March 2019 in connection with his administration’s war on drugs. He was arrested by Philippine authorities and surrendered to the ICC in March 2025.

The confirmation hearing was originally set for September 2025 but was postponed to resolve questions over Duterte’s fitness to stand trial.