24/10/2025
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected former President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge questioning its authority to investigate him over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial "war on drugs".
In a decision released yesterday, the ICC ruled that it has jurisdiction to proceed with the case against Duterte.
Duterte’s lawyer argued that the Philippines had already withdrawn from the ICC when the investigation began, but the Chamber disagreed.
It noted that the ICC’s Prosecutor announced the probe on February 8, 2018 -- before the Duterte government filed its withdrawal from the court’s founding treaty on March 17, 2018.
The judges said the timing shows a clear link between the ICC’s investigation and the country’s withdrawal; suggesting that Malacanang’s move was meant to avoid accountability.
This latest ruling means the case will continue in The Hague, where Duterte is currently detained.