Rep. Leila de Lima expressed her hope that former President Rody Duterte would remain healthy and physically fit to attend his Nov. 30 trial before the International Criminal Court, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity.
Duterte, 81, appeared before ICC judges in The Hague on Sept. 16 for a pretrial status conference, marking his first appearance since he was transferred to ICC custody in March 2025. His appearance attracted attention because he looked noticeably older, with white facial hair and longer hair.
In a Facebook post, De Lima, who was detained during Duterte’s presidency over allegations connected to the New Bilibid Prison drug trafficking controversy, said she hoped he would remain healthy enough to face accountability for the alleged crimes against humanity.
“We are one with the families of EJK victims in wishing Duterte continued fitness to stand trial and face accountability for his crimes against humanity,” De Lima said.
Duterte’s defense lawyers have argued that cognitive decline has affected his ability to take part in his defense. The argument postponed an earlier hearing while medical specialists evaluated him. In January, judges ruled that Duterte understood the proceedings and could exercise his procedural rights, finding him fit to participate in pretrial proceedings.
On April 23, the ICC unanimously confirmed three charges involving murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity and ordered Duterte to stand trial. Judges said there were substantial grounds to believe he bore criminal responsibility for killings allegedly carried out between November 2011 and March 2019, when he was mayor of Davao City and later president of the Philippines.
Official Philippine police records show more than 6,000 people died in anti-drug operations during Duterte’s presidency. Human rights organizations have estimated that the broader death toll may have reached 30,000.
Duterte has maintained that police were directed to use force only when acting in self-defense.
