ICC Orders Prosecutors to Trim Witnesses, Evidence in Duterte Trial

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have asked prosecutors to reduce the number of witnesses and identify essential evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte, aiming to narrow the case before his trial opens on November 30. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner of ICC Trial Chamber III stated that medical reports on the 81-year-old former president indicate the court will have to limit its sitting hours. "It really is important, even more important than normal, that we conclude the case as quickly as possible," she said. The status conference on September 16 was the third held since the case moved to trial. Prosecutors have asked for 193 hours to present their witnesses, which Korner noted would amount to a "very lengthy period of time" once cross-examination is added. While prosecutors stated the list had already been cut, the judge urged them to consider dropping witnesses, especially as the list appears to include four experts on the same topic. If no proposals are submitted before the next status conference, the chamber will review the list "witness by witness." Prosecutors explained that the nature of the case, which involves crimes against humanity, requires them to prove not only that killings occurred but that they were part of a broader attack on civilians. They noted that there has been zero agreement on facts from the defense, necessitating proof even of his tenure as Davao mayor. Meanwhile, Duterte's lead counsel argued that the prosecution's list of approximately 15,000 pieces of evidence, as it stands, is unworkable. He contended that the sheer volume of disclosed evidence makes it realistically impossible to review everything before the trial begins and requested the court to cap the disclosure at around 10,000 documents. The trial concerns alleged human rights abuses during the "war on drugs" under the Duterte administration, drawing significant attention both within the Philippines and internationally. The progress of the trial and the selection of evidence are entering a crucial phase that will shape the case's outcome.