The International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal to disqualify two judges in his case on July 3, 2023. The ICC judges, led by President Tomoko Akane, unanimously decided against Duterte’s request.
Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera are the judges involved in the case from which Duterte sought their exclusion. Duterte’s appeal claimed alleged bias from these judges.
The ICC plenary addressed these claims and concluded that there was no substantial evidence of bias to warrant their disqualification. The rejection of this appeal signifies the continuation of the legal proceedings against Duterte at the ICC.
Duterte faces charges related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs, which resulted in numerous deaths. The ICC is investigating these events under potential human rights violations and crimes against humanity.
The legal proceedings at the ICC continue to draw attention from international human rights organizations and Duterte’s legal team. The next steps in the case will proceed with the current panel of judges after the ICC’s decision to reject the disqualification appeal.
