Former President Rodrigo Duterte has taken a bold step in his fight against the International Criminal Court (ICC). His lawyers have filed a “Defence Challenge with Respect to Jurisdiction,” questioning the ICC’s authority over his case.
Dated May 1, 2025, the submission challenges the ICC’s claim to jurisdiction, citing Article 19(2)(a) of the Rome Statute. Duterte’s legal team argues that the court overstepped its bounds.
Why? They point to the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute, which became effective on March 17, 2019. According to them, when the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber authorized the investigation on September 15, 2021, the country was no longer under its jurisdiction.
This means, Duterte’s camp insists, that the entire process against him is legally baseless and should be thrown out immediately.
The stakes are high. Duterte was flown to The Hague after his arrest on March 11. He now faces detention at the Hague Penitentiary Institution on charges of crimes against humanity tied to his controversial drug war.
A crucial hearing to confirm these charges is set for September 23, 2025. Meanwhile, his lawyers are pushing for his immediate and unconditional release, arguing there is no valid legal ground to continue the case.
Will the ICC uphold this challenge, or will Duterte’s legal battle continue? The coming months will be critical in this high-profile showdown.
#Duterte camp bansag ICC