MANILA – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted both the defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte and its prosecutors permission to submit additional evidence just days before the high-stakes confirmation of charges hearing over his controversial anti-drug campaign.
In a ruling that could significantly shape the trajectory of the case, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I authorized the inclusion of more materials from both sides, underscoring that the requested additions would not prejudice either party and are relevant to the charges against Duterte.
The chamber approved the defense’s second request to expand its evidence list and granted the prosecution’s motion to add 14 new items. Earlier approvals on February 10 had already allowed both camps to revise their submissions, with updated lists filed on February 13.
On February 18, Duterte’s legal team sought to include 108 additional items, explaining that prosecutors had indicated during inter partes communications that the materials would not undermine their case.
The prosecution, in turn, informed the chamber that it had no objection to the defense’s request and likewise moved to include additional evidence of its own. Prosecutors said the defense also agreed not to oppose the new prosecution materials.
“Noting the limited extent of the requested additions, the nature of the material concerned and its relevance to the charges brought against the suspect, as well as the absence of objection from the parties and participants to both the Defence’s and Prosecution’s Requests, the Chamber considers that there is good cause to grant such requests without causing undue prejudice to either party,” the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said.
“For these reasons, the Chamber hereby grants the Defense’s Request and the Prosecution’s Request; and orders the Defence and the Prosecution to file an updated list of evidence by no later than 20 February 2026 at 16:00,” it added.
The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to full trial.
In a separate ruling, the same ICC chamber granted Duterte’s request to waive his right to personally attend the upcoming hearing related to the drug war investigation, a move that further heightens attention on the proceedings as they move toward a critical stage./PN
