A legal expert has observed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecution holds the power to establish probable cause against former President Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case, paving the way for the case to proceed to a full trial.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Atty. Rodel Taton, Dean of the Graduate School of Law at San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Manila, said that the third confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte at the ICC is currently underway.
The hearing aims to determine whether there is sufficient or substantial basis to move the case forward to a full trial.
According to Taton, during the two-day confirmation of charges, the prosecution clearly presented evidence to substantiate its allegations.
The prosecution laid out what it described as systematic and widespread attacks carried out under the Davao Death Squad, starting from Duterte’s tenure as mayor and allegedly continuing when he became president.
However, Taton noted that the defense appears to be employing a political framing, focusing less on ICC proceedings and more on public opinion—particularly among Duterte supporters—seemingly aiming to garner sympathy from the former president’s base.
As the hearings continue, Taton expects the defense to also challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
