International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joanna Korner rejected the request of the victims' representatives to use Tagalog in selected portions of their opening statement in the upcoming trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, emphasizing that the proceedings must follow the language requirements of the Rome Statute.
During Monday's hearing, November 2, Principal Counsel for Victims Paolina Massidda said they intended to quote selected passages from the narratives provided by victims in Tagalog to help them better connect with the chamber and convey their experiences.
“We will make our remarks by quoting parts of narratives that victims provided to us, and we would like to do that in Tagalog. It is important for them to listen as we convey to the chamber what they narrated to us and relate much more,” Massidda said.
However, Korner maintained that the opening statement must be delivered entirely in English, citing the Rome Statute.
“While we understand that you want the victims to relate to what is being said, I’m afraid, as I say, for a number of reasons, we’re going to follow what the Rome Statute has mandated. It must all be in English,” the presiding judge said.
The proposed Tagalog portions were expected to last no more than 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Duterte's lead defense counsel, Peter Haynes, said the Defense was inclined to deliver an opening statement at the start of the trial and was still finalizing its outline.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity in connection with killings during his administration's war on drugs.
His trial is scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026.
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