Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has been declared fit to stand trial for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC), clearing the way for the proceedings scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026.
In a 17-page decision released Thursday night, ICC Trial Chamber III said Duterte is capable of effectively exercising his rights to a fair trial.
“The Chamber is satisfied that the accused is able to effectively exercise his fair trial rights in the proceedings and is therefore fit to stand trial,” the ruling stated.
The decision was based on reports from an independent panel of medical experts tasked with assessing Duterte’s health, as well as submissions from the parties and participants in the case.
The expert panel found no new evidence indicating a deterioration in Duterte’s mental state or cognitive abilities, although it noted some inconsistencies in its findings.
The panel also reported that Duterte’s general physical health appeared to have improved, which it attributed to the medical and nursing care he received while in detention.
The judges likewise denied the defense’s request for an additional medical examination, finding the expert panel’s reports sufficiently conclusive to determine Duterte’s ability to participate in the proceedings.
Duterte has been detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, since his arrest in February 2025 over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s war on drugs.
His trial is scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026.
