Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appears on a screen alongside his lawyer Salvador Medialdea (L) in the courtroom during his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity related to his deadly crackdown on narcotics, in The Hague on March 14, 2025.

Duterte’s camp appeals

MANILA, Philippines — The legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to suspend its decision on their application for the former president’s interim release.

This is because they still need to submit additional information.

In two separate documents uploaded on the ICC’s website dated July 14 and 18, the two sides clashed over the defense team’s request for interim release filed last month.

In a document signed by Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman, they formally requested Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I) to suspend its decision on the application, as they plan to submit crucial information that could assist the court’s ruling.

The prosecution allegedly has incorrect information that they could not immediately address due to insufficient details.

Duterte’s camp also emphasized that they should first complete all necessary documents before the ICC makes a decision.

“In light of the aforementioned, the Pre-Trial Chamber is respectfully requested to suspend its adjudication of the request for interim release until such time as the Defence has assembled all information necessary to permit [REDACTED] to complete [REDACTED],” the document stated.

In a separate filing, the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor asked PTC I to “dismiss” the defense’s request.

“The Defence chose when to file its urgent application for interim release (the ‘Request for Interim Release’), knowing that the submitted [REDACTED] was incomplete,” said Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang.

“The Defence should not be permitted to suspend issuance of the decision on the basis that it may, at some unknown point in the future, attempt to supplement its submission,” it added.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

The **International Criminal Court (ICC)**, established in 2002 and headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, is the first permanent international court tasked with prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. It was created under the **Rome Statute**, a treaty adopted in 1998, to address atrocities when national courts are unable or unwilling to act. The ICC operates independently of the United Nations but collaborates with it, and its jurisdiction extends to crimes committed after July 1, 2002, by nationals of member states or on their territory.

The Hague

The Hague (Den Haag) is the third-largest city in the Netherlands and serves as the country’s administrative and political center, housing the Dutch government, parliament, and royal family. Known for its international significance, it is home to key institutions like the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Founded in the 13th century as a hunting residence for Dutch nobles, it later grew into a major seat of governance and diplomacy.

Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I)

Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I) is one of the judicial divisions of the International Criminal Court (ICC), responsible for examining evidence, issuing arrest warrants, and determining whether cases should proceed to trial. Established under the Rome Statute in 2002, the ICC and its pre-trial chambers handle some of the world’s most serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. PTC I plays a crucial role in ensuring due process before trials begin.

Office of the Prosecutor

The **Office of the Prosecutor (OTP)** is an independent body within the International Criminal Court (ICC) responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. Established in 2002 under the Rome Statute, the OTP plays a crucial role in upholding international justice by gathering evidence, conducting trials, and seeking accountability for serious global crimes. Its work has included high-profile cases related to conflicts in regions such as Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ukraine.