Listen to the article
Former Philippine President Duterte Not in Critical Condition, Despite Online Claims
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is not in critical condition nor detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, contrary to viral claims circulating online days before his scheduled confirmation of charges hearing.
Misleading YouTube videos with alarming titles such as “Rodrigo Duterte now in 50-50 condition!” and “Rodrigo Duterte is critical!” have garnered thousands of views, causing concern among social media users. Some videos even claim that Duterte was rushed to the hospital, that the ICC is “panicking,” and that his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, was brought to tears.
These claims, however, have no factual basis. The videos employ clickbait tactics, featuring commentary on unrelated subjects while misleading viewers with sensationalist thumbnails and titles.
What is accurate is that Duterte has asked to waive his right to attend his ICC confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for February 23. In a letter submitted to the ICC pre-trial chamber on February 18, the former president cited his poor health and his refusal to recognize the chamber’s jurisdiction.
“I do not wish to attend legal proceedings that I will forget within minutes. I am old, tired, and frail. I wish for this Court to respect my peace inside the cell it has placed me. I have accepted the fact that I could die in prison,” Duterte stated in a letter dated February 17.
While Duterte’s legal team has maintained that he is cognitively impaired and unfit to stand trial, there has been no credible information indicating that he is in critical condition or hospitalized.
The ICC pre-trial chamber ruled on January 26 that Duterte is “able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings” following assessments by medical experts. The court has, however, acknowledged special measures recommended by medical professionals to facilitate his participation.
These measures include limiting hearing sessions to no more than three hours per day, providing hourly breaks, and restricting hearings to a maximum of four days per week with a full day’s rest midweek.
Duterte faces serious charges at the ICC, including three counts of murder that constitute crimes against humanity. These charges encompass killings allegedly committed by the Davao Death Squad during his time as mayor and those that occurred during his administration’s controversial war on drugs campaign.
The former president’s arrest in March 2025 has triggered a wave of disinformation across social media platforms, with numerous posts portraying him as a victim. This pattern of false information surrounding high-profile cases is not uncommon, particularly when international courts and controversial political figures are involved.
Media analysts expect disinformation campaigns to continue as the case proceeds, with efforts aimed at discrediting the legal process and swaying public opinion. The proliferation of such misleading content highlights the importance of verifying information through official channels, including the ICC’s official website and social media accounts, or reports from established news organizations.
As Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing approaches, the spread of false health claims underscores the challenging media environment surrounding the case and the need for critical evaluation of online content, particularly during significant legal proceedings of international importance.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
7 Comments
This highlights the challenge of separating fact from fiction online, especially around high-profile political figures. Diligent fact-checking is so important these days.
I’m curious to learn more about the details behind Duterte’s request to skip the ICC hearing. Is there a legitimate medical basis, or is he trying to evade accountability?
Interesting that Duterte is citing poor health as the reason to skip his ICC hearing. I wonder if there are legitimate medical concerns, or if it’s a strategic move on his part.
Good point. His health could be a genuine issue, or it could be an attempt to avoid the ICC proceedings. It will be worth watching how this plays out.
Glad to see the claims about Duterte’s critical health condition were unfounded. It’s important to verify such sensational news claims before spreading them further.
You’re right, the videos were just using clickbait tactics to mislead people. Responsible reporting is crucial, especially on sensitive political topics.
It’s concerning to see the spread of misinformation and sensationalism around Duterte’s health. We need more rigorous, objective reporting on these types of issues.