Listen to the article
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to skip his confirmation of charges hearing but has not ordered his release from detention, contrary to misleading social media claims that have gone viral.
A Facebook post claiming “ICC has withdrawn! PRRD has been allowed! The whole world is shocked!” has garnered significant attention online, receiving over 15,000 reactions, 5,900 comments, and 510 shares since being posted on February 21. The misleading content appeared shortly after the ICC issued a decision regarding Duterte’s upcoming hearings.
The viral post features a composite image showing Duterte alongside ICC President Tomoko Akane, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, and several high-ranking Philippine officials. Text at the bottom of the image falsely suggests that “the judges have given up” and questions whether Duterte will “go home.”
Court records show that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I did issue a decision on February 20, 2026, but it merely granted the former president’s request to be absent from his confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for February 23, 24, 26, and 27. The decision does not address his detention status, and Duterte remains held at the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands.
Duterte’s legal team submitted a letter to the ICC pre-trial chamber on February 18, requesting to waive his right to attend the hearing. In his petition, the former president described himself as “old, tired, and frail” and reiterated his position that he does not recognize the chamber’s jurisdiction over the case.
ICC prosecutors opposed Duterte’s request, arguing there was no reasonable cause for his absence from the proceedings. However, the Pre-Trial Chamber ultimately permitted his absence, citing Article 61(2)(a) of the Rome Statute, which allows hearings to proceed without the accused when they have formally waived their right to be present.
The chamber specifically noted that the waiver was granted based on Duterte’s signed declaration, not due to health concerns as his legal team had previously argued. This decision comes after several procedural delays in the case, including a postponement of the originally scheduled September 2025 confirmation hearing when Duterte’s attorneys claimed he suffered from a “deteriorating cognitive condition” that rendered him unfit for trial.
Following independent medical assessments, ICC judges determined in January 2026 that Duterte was medically fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings.
The former Philippine president was arrested in March 2025 and transferred to the ICC detention facility to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs. Human rights organizations estimate that this campaign resulted in over 30,000 deaths, including civilians and children.
This is not the first instance of misinformation surrounding Duterte’s ICC case. Fact-checking organizations have repeatedly debunked similar false claims about his legal situation since his detention began.
As the high-profile case continues to unfold, it remains a focal point of public attention in the Philippines and internationally, with the confirmation hearings representing a significant step in determining whether the case will proceed to trial.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
This is a complex situation, and it’s crucial to separate fact from fiction. The ICC’s decision to allow Duterte to skip the hearing doesn’t seem to be a definitive ruling on his case, despite the viral claims.
This ruling doesn’t appear to be a definitive decision on Duterte’s release, just procedural. The viral social media claims seem to be misleading. I hope the ICC provides more clarity on the implications of this decision.
This is an interesting development, but it’s important not to read too much into the ICC’s decision. Allowing Duterte to skip the hearing doesn’t necessarily mean the court is backing down from the case against him.
The misleading social media claims about Duterte’s release are concerning. It’s important to look to authoritative sources like the ICC itself to understand the nuances of this ruling and its implications for the case.
This seems like a procedural ruling rather than a substantive decision on Duterte’s case. I’m curious to see how the ICC’s overall investigation and potential charges against him may evolve, despite this particular ruling.
The ICC’s decision to grant Duterte’s request to skip the hearing is interesting, but it doesn’t mean he’s been cleared or released. The details of the ruling and its potential impact will be important to understand.
While the ICC ruling allows Duterte to skip the hearing, it doesn’t seem to be a decision on his ultimate fate. I wonder what factors led the court to grant his request and how this may impact the broader case against him.
The ICC’s decision to allow Duterte to skip his confirmation of charges hearing is intriguing. I’d like to know more about the reasoning behind this and whether it signals any shift in the court’s approach to the case.
Interesting development, though the ICC ruling seems to be more about Duterte’s personal appearance than a decision on his release. I wonder what this means for the overall case and any potential charges against him.