The International Criminal Court has rejected a bid by former Philippine president Rody Duterte to secure another medical report, ruling that the court appointed panel has already completed its work.
In a January 7 decision, ICC Pre Trial Chamber I said it would not order a new assessment, stating that the panel was created for a limited purpose and that purpose has been met.
“The chamber notes that the Panel was appointed precisely for the limited purpose of providing an independent assessment on Duterte’s medical condition in the context of the chamber’s adjudication regarding whether he is fit to take part in the pre trial proceedings,” the chamber said.
“The panel has fulfilled its mandate with the submission of the panel’s reports, which are available to the defense.”
The court appointed panel consisted of three medical specialists. The ICC said the experts were selected through the Registry, the court’s administrative arm.
Duterte’s lawyers filed the request on December 19, 2025, asking the court to direct another set of doctors to issue a new report focused on detention related risks, including flight risk and the safety of witnesses. The request was filed after the panel had already submitted both individual and joint medical assessments.
Duterte remains in ICC custody at the detention facility in The Hague while facing trial for three counts of murder as crimes against humanity tied to dozens of killings linked to his anti narcotics campaign.
The chamber said it remains responsible for determining whether the legal conditions for detention continue to exist under Article 58(1)(b) of the Rome Statute.
It also said detention is subject to mandatory review every 120 days.
The same chamber denied Duterte’s earlier request for temporary liberty in September, citing the court’s continuing authority to assess risk based on the record before it.
