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The International Criminal Court‘s appeals chamber is set to issue its ruling on Wednesday, April 22 (5 pm Philippine time) on whether it has jurisdiction over crimes against humanity cases tied to former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The decision will determine how the case moves forward. A ruling that the ICC has jurisdiction would remove any hindrance to a potential trial. If the appeals chamber sides with Duterte, he may be permitted to return to the Philippines.
A separate ruling on whether to proceed to trial is expected by the end of April, or within 60 days after the February confirmation of charges hearing.
Duterte has previously challenged the court’s jurisdiction and lost twice before the ICC. The chamber also rejected his plea for interim release.
On this page, we bring you the latest updates, analysis, and key developments as the ICC ruling on jurisdiction unfolds today.
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LATEST UPDATES
46 minutes ago
WATCH: Duterte remains in The Hague as he awaits trial
Any hopes of former president Rodrigo Duterte returning home are on indefinite hold after two key International Criminal Court decisions cleared the way for a full-blown trial. Duterte’s youngest daughter Kitty says he is “accepting” of the ICC’s decisions to uphold jurisdiction over his case and confirm the charges of crimes against humanity. His defense team has begun preparing for trial.
Apr 22, 2026 10:35 PM PHT
Mother of drug war victim says there’s no healing for victims
Nanette Castillo on Wednesday, April 22, says there is no healing from the wound left by the killing of her son Aldrin. The ICC Trust Fund for Victims is eager to offer assistance as soon as funding kicks in, but Castillo says she cannot think of any form of assistance — especially the monetary kind — that can make her move on from the loss of her child.
Apr 22, 2026 10:35 PM PHT
Victims celebrate after ICC decision
Apr 22, 2026 10:27 PM PHT
It’s final: ICC has jurisdiction over Duterte’s crimes against humanity case
For the third and final time, the International Criminal Court affirms that it has jurisdiction over former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s case of crimes against humanity, despite the Philippines’ eventual withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
Apr 22, 2026 10:23 PM PHT
Mother of drug war victim reacts to ICC decision on jurisdiction over Duterte case
Nanette Castillo, whose son Aldrin was killed by masked vigilantes in 2017, reacts on Wednesday, April 22, to the news that the International Criminal Court had upheld jurisdiction over the case against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. It means there’s no roadblock to a trial should charges be confirmed, a decision expected next week. Castillo says she never doubted that they would one day reach this stage.
Apr 22, 2026 10:08 PM PHT
Rappler Recap: Pro-, anti-Duterte groups vow to persevere as ICC denies his appeal
After the International Criminal Court upheld on Wednesday, April 22, its jurisdiction over Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case, both supporters and critics of the former president in The Hague vow to carry on their respective campaigns as they now await the pre-trial chamber’s decision to confirm the charges.
Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, also says the defense is ready for trial should it proceed.
Apr 22, 2026 8:03 PM PHT
Kaufman on ICC jurisdiction decision: Not surprised, focusing on road ahead
FIRST ON RAPPLER: Nicholas Kaufman, chief defense counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte, says on Wednesday, April 22, that the defense was not surprised that the International Criminal Court decided to reject his client’s appeal against jurisdiction. He says the defense is focused on trial, believing it is the only way the former president can return to the Philippines. Kaufman will also retain his post as chief defense counsel should the charges be confirmed.
Apr 22, 2026 6:33 PM PHT
Rappler Recap: ICC chamber junks Duterte’s bid to dismiss case on grounds of jurisdiction
Apr 22, 2026 6:08 PM PHT
Victims applaud ICC decision in Duterte case
Applause erupts at the UP Diliman Atencio-Libunao hall as victims tearfully welcome the decision of the ICC appeals chamber saying the Court has jurisdiction over the Philippine case. Former president Rodrigo Duterte will now have to face his next challenge: the confirmation of charges related to alleged extrajudicial killings.
Apr 22, 2026 6:02 PM PHT
Duterte supporters after appeal rejection: ‘Laban pa rin’
Supporters of Rodrigo Duterte, who followed the livestream outside the International Criminal Court on Wednesday, April 22, expressed disappointment over the appeals chamber’s decision to uphold jurisdiction and reject the former president’s appeal.
However, they are determined to keep campaigning for Duterte’s release.
“Laban pa rin, ipagpatuloy pa rin natin…. Lalabas din ang katotohanan (The fight continues, we will continue…. The truth will come out),” said Janet Suliman, a supporter based in the Netherlands.
