In Rodrigo Duterte’s pre-trial, legal counsel Salvador Medialdea argued that the former president had ‘debilitating medical issues’ prior to his appearance to the court in The Hague.
This received a swift response from presiding judge Iulia Motoc saying that the court believed, on doctor’s advise, that Duterte was fully mentally aware and fit to partake in the court proceedings
The International Criminal Court began litigating the case against Duterte, Friday night (Manila time), for his alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s ‘war on drugs.’
Medialdea dubbed the arrest, by the virtue of the ICC, a ‘blatant act of kidnapping’ and that Duterte was denied legal protections back in the Philippines.
He added that the ICC ‘struck an unlikely alliance’ with the Marcos Jr. administration in the ‘nature of political score setting’ citing the political presence of vice president Sara Duterte and ‘ICC’s fight for legitimacy and recognition.’
“Only this morning have I met him for the first time with less than an hour to discuss legal issues […] Accordingly, I repeat my respectful request, which was rejected this morning, to postpone the substantive aspect of this hearing to the next week when I will have the opportunity to sit with my client and to explain to him what the confirmation hearing is and what the disclosure is and how the prosecution alleges that he committed crimes.” Medialdea said.
Motoc, on the other hand, gave a straight remark that Duterte was being given equal protections in accordance with the Rome statute.
She explained all requests for postponement were denied, being that Duterte’s initial appearance to the hearing ‘does not need much preparation,’ contrary to Medialdea’s argument.
“I’d like to specify once again that this is an initial hearing in order for Mr. Duterte to be aware of his rights and the charges against him. And then there will be a full procedure that will unfurl leading up to the confirmation of charges that will enable Mr. Duterte to raise all the matters that you have just raised,” Motoc said.
Motoc then announced that Duterte was set to appear on September 23 for the actual confirmation of charges, a step necessary for the legal proceedings to continue. Hurt Allauigan
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