The International Criminal Court (ICC) has moved forward with proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte by constituting Trial Chamber III following the confirmation of charges.

ICC President Tomoko Akane appointed Judges Joanna Korner, Keebong Paek, and Nicolas Guillou to preside over the trial phase, which will now handle the full case record, including evidence, transcripts, and the formal decision confirming the charges.

The development follows the April 23, 2026, ruling of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, which unanimously confirmed all charges against Duterte and committed him to trial.

Judges found “substantial grounds to believe” that Duterte was criminally responsible for crimes against humanity, particularly murder and attempted murder, linked to his anti-drug campaign.

Following the confirmation of charges, the ICC Registry transmitted the full case records—including indexes of filings, transcripts, and evidentiary materials—to the Presidency, paving the way for the constitution of a trial chamber.

Trial Chamber III will now begin pre-trial preparations, including scheduling status conferences with the prosecution, defense, and legal representatives of victims. More than 500 victims’ relatives have already been authorized to participate in the proceedings, underscoring the scale of the case.

Under ICC procedures, the trial is expected to begin within six to 18 months after the confirmation of charges. Duterte will be required to appear before the court once trial proceedings formally commence.

The case marks a significant milestone in international efforts to address alleged human rights violations tied to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which has drawn global scrutiny due to the high number of deaths linked to the operations.