The Hague, Netherlands – The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed a request by the defense team of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to remove two judges from his case. The decision, issued Wednesday (Manila time), allows the same panel of judges to continue determining whether the ICC has jurisdiction over the charges against Duterte.
The defense team, in a motion filed on May 1st, 2025, sought the excusal of Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera, arguing that their prior rulings on similar issues in the Philippines situation could create a perception of bias.
However, the Chamber, presided over by Judge Iulia Antonnella Motoc, rejected the request, citing Article 41 of the Rome Statute and the Court’s procedural rules. The Chamber emphasized that only the judges themselves or the Presidency of the Court can initiate such a removal, stating that the defense’s attempt was “lacks procedural propriety.”
The prosecution had opposed the defense motion, a position the Chamber ultimately supported, underscoring the integrity of the judicial process. Furthermore, the Chamber ordered the reclassification of two confidential filings related to the dispute as public documents, enhancing transparency.
This ruling clears the path for the same panel of judges to proceed with determining the ICC’s jurisdiction over Duterte’s case. Duterte faces allegations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial “war on drugs” campaign, which is alleged to have resulted in thousands of deaths.
