ICC Trial Chamber Advises Prosecution to Reduce Witnesses in Duterte Case

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III has advised the prosecution in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte to consider reducing the number of their witnesses. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner noted that the prosecution's request for 193 hours to present its case was a "very lengthy period of time" and emphasized the importance of concluding the case as quickly as possible. During the third status conference on Wednesday, Korner stated, "You may want to think about whether it is possible to reduce the number of witnesses," specifically pointing out that the prosecution has four experts on the same topic. She urged for a streamlined presentation of evidence. ICC trial lawyer Edward Jeremy responded by saying the prosecution will look for opportunities to streamline their case, noting that their 193-hour request was already a "reduced version." The Trial Chamber clarified that it would not make a decision on the matter at this time. Duterte faces charges related to alleged killings during his presidency and his time as Davao City mayor. He attended his status conference for the first time. He was arrested in March 2025 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 and is currently detained at the ICC Detention Centre in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC's investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings during Duterte's "war on drugs" has been a significant point of contention, with the court asserting jurisdiction after determining that domestic investigations were insufficient. The proceedings are closely watched both domestically and internationally. Information Source: GMA News Philippines