A lawyer clarified that the International Criminal Court (ICC), not the Philippine government, will cover the expenses of witnesses in the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti emphasized that the court has strict rules on witness eligibility and protection, and she urged the public not to discredit victims who face serious risks in testifying.
Meanwhile, lawyer Joel Butuyan said the confirmation hearing scheduled for September may be postponed due to expected petitions from Duterte’s defense team.
Duterte’s legal team, now complete, is expected to challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction and the validity of his arrest.
If the pre-trial chamber finds sufficient basis, the case will move to the trial chamber for a full hearing on crimes against humanity.
Source: PhilNews24 | April 7, 2025
