Former President Duterte waives right to attend November 2 ICC status conference

Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not personally attend the International Criminal Court's (ICC) fifth status conference on November 2 after waiving his right to appear before the tribunal.

In a filing dated October 30, Duterte's defense team informed Trial Chamber III that the former president had signed the waiver on October 28, authorizing his lawyers to represent him during the proceedings.

The chamber, composed of Judges Joanna Korner, Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou, approved the request on October 29 and instructed the defense to submit the signed document for the official record.

Lead Counsel Peter Haynes, KC, subsequently furnished the court with the waiver as an annex to the defense filing.

Under the waiver, Duterte authorized his legal team to address all procedural matters included in the status conference agenda, as well as any other issue that may be raised during the hearing.

The November 2 conference will focus on preparations for the trial, with the chamber scheduling the proceedings from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CET (5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Philippine time). An additional session may be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. CET (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Philippine time) if necessary.

The proceedings will be livestreamed on the ICC's website and Facebook page, subject to a 30-minute delay.

Among the matters for discussion are the daily trial schedule, testimony through audio-visual links, rights of audience, the prosecution's witness list and the number of hours allocated for presenting its evidence.

The chamber will also take up potentially exculpatory evidence, agreed facts, the order in which witnesses will be called, applications under Rule 68(3), protective measures inside the courtroom, and security arrangements for defense missions.

With the waiver approved, Duterte's lawyers will handle the proceedings on his behalf, and the former president will not be required to attend the conference.