Duterte Skips Final Pretrial Hearing as ICC Sets November 30 Trial Opening

The International Criminal Court will open the crimes against humanity trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on November 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. The Hague time, according to an ICC advisory dated October 30. The session is scheduled for 5 p.m. Philippine time.

Duterte will not appear at the fifth status conference on November 2, the last hearing before trial. His defense requested the absence in a document dated October 30, and Trial Chamber III granted it.

The trial opening follows two procedural decisions that cleared the way for full proceedings. On April 23, 2026, the ICC confirmed all crimes against humanity charges against Duterte. On October 8, Trial Chamber III made public a decision dated September 28 finding Duterte fit to stand trial, based on an independent expert panel's findings.

Duterte faces three counts of murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity under article 7(1)(a) of the Rome Statute. The alleged acts occurred in the Philippines between November 2011 and March 2019, spanning Davao City killings during his mayoral years, high-value targets during his presidency, and anti-drug operations across the country.

At the November 30 session, judges will first establish whether Duterte understands the charges and ask him to enter a plea. Prosecution and victim representatives will then deliver opening statements.

The fitness ruling removed a key procedural hurdle, and the scheduling of the trial opening moves the case toward full proceedings. Duterte's decision to skip the final pretrial hearing, after the court cleared him to stand trial, raises questions about his participation strategy.