THE camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC), before which he is facing charges of crimes against humanity, to convene a status conference on or before July 25.
In a submission dated July 14, Duterte lawyers led by Nicholas Kaufman cited Rule 121 of the ICC, which allows the Pre-Trial Chamber to conduct status conferences on matters affecting the timely and efficient conduct of the confirmation proceedings.
“The Pre-Trial Chamber would also assess whether, given the delays [REDACTED], which cannot be attributable to the Defense, it remains feasible to maintain the current schedule for the hearing on the confirmation of charges,” the defense team said.
Duterte’s former spokesperson Harry Roque said the defense team wanted to assess whether the current schedule for the hearing on the confirmation of charges remains feasible, given several delays, which he insisted is not attributable to them.
“According to the defense team, the Pre-Trial Chamber I is authorized to hold status conferences on matters affecting the timely and efficient conduct of confirmation proceedings,” Roque said of the request.
He added that chambers are also encouraged to hold status conferences to their fullest extent to ensure a streamlined and efficient pre-trial phase.
To recall, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 has scheduled the confirmation of the charges against the 80-year-old Duterte on September 23 this year.
Earlier, Kaufman said the defense team is already working towards the September 23 confirmation of the charges hearing against Duterte.
It will be the second time that Duterte will appear before the Chamber after his arrest and subsequent detention on March 11.
He first appeared via videolink before the Chamber on March 14. The defense team has renewed its arguments that the ICC has no jurisdiction and should end the proceedings in the crime against humanity case against Duterte.
