Former president Rodrigo Duterte has secured approval from the International Criminal Court to skip the first status conference in his crimes against humanity case, allowing his new defense team to handle the May 27 proceeding in The Hague.
In a seven-page order dated May 22, ICC Trial Chamber III granted the defense request to excuse Duterte from the hearing, which will focus on trial preparation and court deadlines, not the presentation of evidence. The chamber said Duterte “wishes to waive his right to appear before the Chamber on 27 May 2026 and fully trusts his legal team to address the procedural matters listed on the status conference agenda.”
The ruling lets Duterte’s lawyers take charge of the first major procedural step before the case moves closer to trial. His defense argued that the rule requiring an accused to be present applies to the trial itself, not to status conferences, which judges described as administrative in nature. The chamber accepted that position but ordered the defense to submit a written waiver personally signed by Duterte no later than May 25 at 12 p.m.
The order also confirmed Duterte’s new legal representation after his previous lawyers were allowed to withdraw earlier this month. Peter Haynes KC has been appointed counsel, while Kate Gibson will serve as associate counsel. The chamber said both have been informed of pending deadlines and assured the court they are ready to attend.
The May 27 conference is expected to cover the proposed trial start date, pre-trial deadlines, witness and evidence volume, expert witnesses, disclosure obligations, witness protection, translation needs, victims’ participation, pre-trial motions, and possible additional incidents prosecutors may seek to include.
The hearing will generally be public, but judges may move parts into private session if witness security issues arise. The chamber also denied victims’ lawyer Gilbert Andres’ request to join remotely, citing other victims’ representatives who will be in court and the lack of a secure link for possible private sessions.
