THE HAGUE — The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court will rule on April 22 on a jurisdiction challenge filed by the camp of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte in his crimes against humanity case.
The chamber, composed of Presiding Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza and Judges Tomoko Akane, Solomy Balungi Bossa, Gocha Lordkipanidze, and Erdenebalsuren Damdin, will deliver its judgment at 7 p.m. Manila time.
Duterte’s legal team filed the appeal after the Appeals Chamber on Oct. 23, 2025 rejected an earlier challenge to the ICC prosecutor’s jurisdiction. The court previously ruled that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute did not bar jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.
Prosecutors maintain that the ICC retains authority because the alleged crimes occurred before the Philippines exited the treaty. Duterte’s defense formally appealed the ruling on Oct. 28, 2025 and submitted its appeal brief on Nov. 14, 2025.
Duterte is currently detained in The Hague and faces charges of crimes against humanity following the ICC’s confirmation of charges in February 2026.
