Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague since March 2025. His trial is scheduled to open on November 30, 2026. We confirmed that date on the ICC’s own case page and in its official case information sheet on October 12, 2026.
Here is a timeline of the case, built from the ICC’s public records, followed by what the court has said about the next steps. Duterte has not been convicted of anything. Under the Rome Statute, an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Charges in Brief
According to the ICC, Duterte is accused of three counts of crimes against humanity, namely murder and attempted murder. The court says the crimes were allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019, in the context of the “war on drugs” campaign. That period covers his years as Davao City mayor and part of his presidency.
The ICC’s case sheet lists the modes of liability the prosecution alleges: as an indirect co-perpetrator, and/or for ordering or inducing, and/or for aiding and abetting the crimes. These are allegations the prosecution must prove at trial.
Timeline
March 7, 2025. ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issued an arrest warrant, initially classified as “Secret.”
March 11, 2025. The warrant was reclassified as public.
March 12, 2025. Duterte was surrendered to the ICC.
March 14, 2025. He made his initial appearance before the court.
September 22, 2025. According to the ICC’s victims page, the prosecution filed public redacted versions of its Document Containing the Charges and its Pre-Confirmation Brief.
February 23 to 27, 2026. The confirmation of charges hearing took place. The ICC says the hearing went ahead in Duterte’s absence after the chamber granted his request to waive his right to attend.
April 23, 2026. Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed all three counts and sent the case to trial.
April 24, 2026. The ICC Presidency set up Trial Chamber III to handle the case.
May 27, 2026. At its first status conference, Trial Chamber III set the trial to open on November 30, 2026.
September 28, 2026. Trial Chamber III ruled that Duterte is fit to stand trial. It also adopted measures to help him take part in the proceedings.
October 8, 2026. The ICC made the fitness decision public, and confirmed again that the trial is scheduled to open on November 30.
What Happens Before November 30
The ICC says that before the trial opens, the chamber will deal with all pending matters and adopt the procedures needed for a fair and efficient trial. It also says practical information, including webstreaming and possible public attendance, will be released closer to the date.
The defense has been active on procedure. TPW reported earlier on its request for the court to cap the prosecution’s evidence at 10,000 items. That is the kind of pre-trial issue the chamber will rule on in the coming weeks.
Why the Defense and Supporters Push Back
Duterte’s camp and many supporters have long questioned whether the ICC should be handling the case at all. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019. Critics of the case also object to how the former president was surrendered. TPW’s earlier explainer on ICC jurisdiction sets out those arguments and the court’s position in detail.
Supporters have also raised concerns about the former president’s age and health. The ICC case sheet lists his date of birth as March 28, 1945. The September fitness decision found him fit to stand trial, and the court said it adopted measures to make it easier for him to take part. The full reasoning has not been summarized in public beyond that.
What a Trial at the ICC Looks Like
At trial, the prosecution presents its evidence and witnesses first. The defense can cross-examine witnesses, challenge evidence and present its own case. Victims take part through legal representatives. Judges, not a jury, decide guilt or innocence, and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. ICC trials often run for a long time, and the court has not said how long this one is expected to last.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Arrest warrant: March 7, 2025
- Surrender: March 12, 2025
- Confirmation hearing: February 23 to 27, 2026
- Charges confirmed: April 23, 2026
- Found fit to stand trial: decision dated September 28, 2026, made public October 8, 2026
- Trial opening: scheduled for November 30, 2026
For Filipinos following the case from home, the ICC has said it will share practical details on webstreaming closer to the opening, so the trial should be watchable online. TPW will update this timeline as the court issues new rulings before the opening.
Sources
- https://www.icc-cpi.int/philippines/duterte (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2026-06/DuterteEng.pdf (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-philippines-rodrigo-roa-duterte-fit-stand-trial (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/duterte-case-trial-open-30-november-2026 (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- https://www.icc-cpi.int/victims/duterte-case (checked Oct 12, 2026)
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