HOUSE leaders on Thursday wished former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte well following his first in-person appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC), with one noting that the case against him is moving forward.
“We wish him well,” House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairman and Manila Rep. Joel Chua said when asked about Duterte’s appearance in The Hague on Wednesday.
House impeachment team spokesperson and House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong echoed Chua’s sentiment but separately pointed to the progress of the ICC proceedings.
“What is important is tumatakbo na, tumutuloy na ang kaso,” Alonto Adiong said.
“And again, similar sa sinabi po ni Congressman Chua, we do really wish him well,” he added.
Chua also serves as a House prosecutor in the impeachment trial of Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
Duterte, 81, appeared in person before the ICC for the first time Wednesday during a status conference ahead of the scheduled opening of his trial on Nov. 30.
He had appeared by video link shortly after his transfer to The Hague in March 2025 and later waived his attendance at other proceedings.
The ICC in April confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity against Duterte and committed him to trial over alleged killings connected with his anti-drug campaign during his tenure as Davao City mayor and Philippine president. Duterte has denied wrongdoing
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