The hague: Former president Rodrigo Duterte is deemed 'fit to take part' in the pre-trial proceedings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with his crimes against humanity case, a pre-trial chamber announced Monday. In a statement, the ICC said Duterte's confirmation hearing would formally open on Feb. 23.

According to Philippines News Agency, Duterte's camp earlier requested an indefinite adjournment of the proceedings, including the confirmation hearing, stating the former president is not fit to participate in the proceedings. The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I then appointed a panel of three medical experts to undertake a medical examination of Duterte, who submitted the assessment report in December.

The Pre-Trial Chamber I expressed satisfaction with the findings, stating, 'Having regard to the relevant legal principles, the medical assessment of the independent experts composing the Panel, and all of the relevant circumstances of the case, the Chamber was satisfied that Mr. Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings, which are thereby resumed.'

The ICC announced plans to issue an order soon to set directions facilitating Duterte's participation in the hearing. The confirmation hearing, initially scheduled for September 2025, will evaluate whether sufficient evidence exists to believe that Duterte, who will turn 81 in March, committed the alleged crimes.

If one or more charges are confirmed, the case will advance to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial. Duterte is suspected of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 2011 and March 2019 during the 'war on drugs' campaign.

Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, and was taken into custody by the ICC in The Hague on March 12.