THE confimarion hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) involving former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte concluded on Feb. 27, 2026, in The Hague, marking the end of a four-day examination of evidence and legal arguments that will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.

Duterte has been in ICC custody since March 2025 after surrendering under an arrest warrant in connection with the case. The confirmation hearing began last Feb. 23 after judges ruled he was fit to participate in the said proceedings.

The hearing did not decide Duterte’s guilt or innocence but focused solely on whether sufficient evidence exists for the case to move forward. 

Prosecutors urged the three-judge Pre-Trial Chamber to confirm three counts of crimes against humanity of murder against former President Rodrigo Duterte.  The charges cover at least 76 alleged killings between 2013 and 2018, which prosecutors said were part of a widespread and systematic campaign and meet the threshold for trial. 

Defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman told the judges that there was no direct evidence linking Duterte to specific killings. He argued that many of the incidents that occurred could be considered lawful police operations or acts of self-defense, denying that internal documents showed the existence of a “kill list”, saying these were operational target lists and did not contain orders to carry out unlawful executions. 

The documents included 248 deaths among the people listed, while the ICC charges cover at least 76 alleged killings; the hearing did not reveal any specific names or whether any minors were involved. The first count includes 19 killings in Davao City from 2013 to 2016 when he was mayor. The second covers 14 alleged high-value targets from 2016 to 2017, and the third involves 43 killings and two attempted killings during anti-drug operations while he was president.

Furthermore, Duterte did not attend the hearing in person after the Pre-Trial Chamber previously granted his request to be absent from the proceedings. 

The confirmation hearing is a procedural stage required before a case can proceed to trial. Judges must determine whether there are “substantial grounds to believe” that the accused committed the alleged crimes—a standard lower than proof beyond reasonable doubt but necessary to advance to trial. A written ruling must be issued within 60 days of the hearing’s conclusion. 

Supporters of victims of the anti-drug campaign expressed hope that the charges will be confirmed and that the case will proceed to trial, stating that the families of those killed deserve accountability and that evidence should be fully examined in court.

The defense said it respects the court’s process and trusts the judges to decide that matter based on the evidence presented.

The judges’ ruling will determine the next step in the case. Confirmation of charges would lead to a full trial, while a rejection could end the case or prompt prosecutors to revise their evidence. The decision will mark a pivotal moment in the proceedings before the ICC.