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April 22, 2026 | 5:00pm
MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to issue its ruling on Wednesday, April 22, on whether it has jurisdiction to proceed with the crimes against humanity of murder case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte’s defense has argued that the ICC no longer has authority over him following the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute prior to the official investigation.
However, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber previously ruled in October 2025 that the court retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member-state.
That ruling was appealed by Duterte’s camp, elevating the question of jurisdiction before the ICC Appeals Chamber for a final decision.
The Appeals Chamber is composed of Presiding Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, Judges Tomoko Akane, Solomy Balungi Bossa, Gocha Lordkipanidze, and Erdenebalsuren Damdin.
Judge Lordkipanidze had earlier ruled in favor of Duterte in a separate jurisdictional matter, while Judges Carranza and Bossa issued dissenting opinions. Judges Akane and Damdin are seen as key swing votes in the upcoming ruling.
If the ICC affirms jurisdiction, the case may proceed to trial, which prosecutors have indicated could begin by late 2026.
The case involves allegations of 78 counts of murder and attempted murder linked to anti-drug operations between 2011 and 2019, which prosecutors say may constitute crimes against humanity.
The ruling is expected to determine whether the ICC will push through with trial proceedings or dismiss the case at the jurisdiction stage.
Watch the ICC ruling on Wednesday, April 22 at 5 p.m.
