ICC Issues Latest Order on Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte amid Charges, Postponed Hearing
DUTERTE – The International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered the former President to undergo a checkup of three medical experts to assess his fitness to stand trial.
The International Criminal Court postponed the confirmation of charges hearing of the former President after his lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, claimed that his client is allegedly suffering from a “cognitive impairment”. The British-Israeli Lawyer also called on the ICC to adjourn all legal proceedings indefinitely.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is faced with three (3) counts of murder charges as alleged “crimes against humanity” filed by the ICC prosecutor. According to Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, the former President is allegedly unable to recall events, places, and even members of his family.
Duterte’s lead counsel previously expressed his hope that the Marcos Jr. administration will allow the former President’s return to the Philippines for his interim release. However, recently, the ICC issued a decision rejecting the interim release plea of former Pres. Duterte.
According to the foreign court, the continued detention of the former President is needed to ensure his appearance to the legal proceedings. The ICC prosecution welcomed the decision of the court. The prosecutors previously suggested that the former President should undergo the assessment of three (3) medical experts to check on his fitness to stand trial.
Aside from lawyer Nicholas Kaufman’s claim that former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is allegedly suffering from a “cognitive impairment” that will either remain static or deteriorate further even with a medical intervention, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also previously claimed that her father allegedly needs a 24-hour caregiver. According to her, the former President was allegedly found unconscious in the floor of his ICC detention unit and was brought to a hospital but they were supposedly not informed.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte previously claimed that a “third country” allegedly committed to hos the interim release of his father if the ICC will grant it. She did not disclose which country she’s referring to but clarified that it is neither Japan nor Australia.
Recently, the ICC issued an order for Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to undergo checkup of three (3) medical experts to asses his fitness to stand trial. Based on a report of GMA News, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 ordered an assessment by the following:
- an expert in forensic psychiatry
- an expert in neuropsychology
- an expert in geriatric and behavioral psychology with experience in “the examination of an elderly person on fitness to participate in judicial proceedings”.
Based on the report, the Office of Public Counsel for the Victims, the defense, and the prosecution were ordered to file their comments on or before the 15th of November. The foreign court clarified that the fitness to stand trial does not depend on whether or not the suspect is suffering from a particular medical condition but on whether or not he/she is able to effectively exercise his/her rights in the process.
Previously, Malacañang reacted to the remarks of Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte against the arresters of his father after the ICC junked the interim release plea of the former President.