Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ordered a new medical examination of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to determine whether he is fit to stand trial beginning in November.
In a 17-page decision issued by Trial Chamber III on Friday, June 12, the court appointed a panel of independent experts to assess Duterte’s current health condition as proceedings move from the pre-trial phase to trial.
The chamber said earlier medical evaluations were limited to determining Duterte’s fitness to participate in pre-trial proceedings and did not address his condition in the context of a full trial.
“Given that the accused is now to stand trial, the Chamber finds that it requires an objective assessment of the accused’s health by independent experts,” the decision stated.
The judges directed the same multidisciplinary panel that conducted the initial examination during the pre-trial stage to carry out the new assessment. The panel will review previous findings and determine whether Duterte’s medical condition has changed in ways relevant to his ability to participate in trial proceedings.
The chamber emphasized that the experts must consider Duterte’s health regardless of whether it has remained stable or worsened.
To preserve impartiality, the court ordered all parties and participants in the case to refrain from contacting members of the expert panel without prior approval.
The experts were also instructed to keep all information confidential and use it solely for the purpose of preparing their reports.
The panel is expected to submit its findings to the court registry by August 18, 2026. The registry will then file the reports, whether joint or individual, no later than August 24, 2026.
The court will use the findings to determine whether Duterte is fit to take part in trial proceedings under Rule 135 of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
Duterte faces allegations before the ICC related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign and multiple cases of extrajudicial killings, which have drawn international scrutiny.
