LIVE UPDATES: Duterte ICC Hearing – Confirmation of Charges (Feb 27)

The relatives of alleged extrajudicial killing victims under former President Rodrigo Duterte expressed confidence that he will be tried

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I on Friday announced that it will now begin its deliberations on whether the crimes

The prosecution and the victims’ counsel on Friday told the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) I that it cannot

“He murdered no one”Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman asks ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to reject charges against Rodrigo Duterte, and let him return to the Philippines and live out his days in peace. | 🎥: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow live updates here: https://t.co/GtSlKo9n38•⁠ Watch… pic.twitter.com/ffdThiaHew

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

“Take them out of the shadow of darkness into the light of truth and justice.”Victims’ counsel Gilbert Andres calls on the ICC to confirm charges against Rodrigo Duterte, citing thousands of deaths and ensure victims can finally seek justice. | 🎥: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow live… pic.twitter.com/yi4MKrzUrW

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

“He must answer for the dead.”Prosecution lawyer Julian Nicholls urges the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber to confirm the charges against Rodrigo Duterte, arguing that witness testimony, official records and Duterte’s own statements show the drug war killings were widespread and… pic.twitter.com/fJ6SVMcnlL

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Lead Defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman closed the confirmation of charges by launching a dual-pronged attack against the prosecution’s “narrative manipulation” and at the same time painting a somber, frail 80-year old man resigned to his fate of dying in prison.READ MORE:… pic.twitter.com/bE10jEMql7

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Lead Defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman closed the confirmation of charges by launching a dual-pronged attack against the prosecution’s

Atty. Nicholas Kaufman claimed in his closing statement that former President Rodrigo Duterte is not responsible for any wrongdoing beyond his use of inappropriate words, insisting that he has not committed murder.•⁠ ⁠Follow live updates here: https://t.co/GtSlKo8PdA•⁠… pic.twitter.com/IHqISqgS2Y

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Hearings on the confirmation of charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte ended with sharp exchanges among the defense, prosecution

“PROOF, NOT EMOTION”Defense’s Kaufman calls on ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to reject the charges against Rodrigo Duterte, arguing legal search warrants contradict a "murder scheme." | 🎥: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow live updates here: https://t.co/GtSlKo9n38•⁠ Watch our livestream… pic.twitter.com/8CubBLn5uX

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

HVT IS NOT A CODE TO KILLLead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman is demanding the ICC judges to throw out the case against Rodrigo Duterte, claiming "High-Value Target" (HVT) lists were law enforcement tools, not hit lists. He also blasted the prosecution for relying on "voice… pic.twitter.com/MLwXcGHazh

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

POSSIBLE DECISIONS ON DUTERTE'S CASEOriane Maillet, spokesperson for the International Criminal Court (ICC) says that the Pre-Trial Chamber's judges are now deliberating on the confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte. Within 60 days, the ICC… pic.twitter.com/73zI1lLB8u

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Nicholas Kaufman, the lead defense counsel, makes his closing statements on Day 4 o former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing.

The lawyers of the kin of the drug war victims make their closing statements at the end of Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing.

The prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday maintained that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case should proceed to a full trial.

International Criminal Court (ICC) trial lawyer Julian Nicholls asked Pre-Trial Chamber I to disregard Atty. Nicholas Kaufman’s statement about the current whereabouts of former president Rodrigo Duterte, stressing that Duterte could have appeared in person to address any matters… pic.twitter.com/P3QpP7vxuc

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC'Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc reprimanded Atty. Nicholas Kaufman over their criticism of the redactions, after they argued that the public would not be able to read the material. Motoc clarified that the defense has access to the redacted information… pic.twitter.com/wLRaUJiJ9h

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

DUTERTE DETENTION REVIEW HEARINGAfter the confirmation of charges hearing, the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court is now reviewing the detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte. | 📸: ICC•⁠ ⁠Follow live updates here https://t.co/GtSlKo9n38•⁠… pic.twitter.com/OAtaPH20WW

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday rejected claims made by alleged ex-Marines, through lawyer Levito Baligod, that some of the expenses it incurred while investigating the Duterte drug war were shouldered by former Sen.… pic.twitter.com/seF3fWie4G

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'THE WHOLE WORLD HAS ALREADY TRIED AND CONVICTED HIM'Lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman said that while he continues to argue for due process and a fair trial, he believes that former president Rodrigo Duterte has already been judged by public opinion, criticizing what he… pic.twitter.com/mCtgF0ytjY

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

The prosecution makes its closing statements at the confirmation of charges hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case.

REVIEW ON DUTERTE’S DETENTION AND DEFENSE'S CLOSING STATEMENTSThe International Criminal Court is now set to review the continued detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague after nearly a year since his arrest. The defense will also present their closing… pic.twitter.com/9ok3iA0fUB

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'NOR SHOULD THE BURDEN SHIFT TO THE DEFENSE'Lead defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman argued that the prosecution should bear the responsibility of proving the authenticity of the police records it claims are fabricated, adding that if the prosecution intends to undermine official… pic.twitter.com/nGOxE24ZXJ

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'FAKE NEWS FROM MR. DUTERTE'S SUPPORTERS'In his closing statement, Atty. Gilbert Andres said the victims of the “war on drugs” campaign want former president Rodrigo Duterte to be committed to trial and that the prosecution's evidence is suffice, adding that they fear being… pic.twitter.com/HV3fnu4yho

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'THE WORDS OF THE PRESIDENT IS TO BE OBEYED'Atty. Gilbert Andres, common legal representative of the victims, said that Rodrigo Duterte's word as head of state becomes policy, with whatever the former president says in his speeches is taken literally due to strong loyalty… pic.twitter.com/8ja9lEgDC3

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'HIS CLIENT PREVENTED ALL THAT BY WITHDRAWING THE PHILIPPINES'Senior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls responded to Nicholas Kaufman questioning why the International Criminal Court doesn't investigate drug-related killings under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration,… pic.twitter.com/6PFeLoA3Gf

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Rodrigo Duterte killed thousands during his anti-drug campaign, an International Criminal Court prosecutor alleged Friday.

Nicholas Kaufman, the lead defense counsel, continues his submissions on the merits at former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC hearing.

WATCH: Relatives of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) hold a candle lighting vigil for their loved ones on the fourth and final day of the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court on Friday, February 27. |… pic.twitter.com/QrZogMbfP0

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'MARKED NEUTRALIZED ON THE DAY THEY'RE KILLED'Senior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls refuted Duterte's lead defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman's claim that to "neutralize" meant to arrest and not to kill, noting that Ronaldo Espinosa and Raul Yap who were on the "PRRD List" were… pic.twitter.com/bSOsIFfQL9

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team on Friday maintained that the prosecution has no evidence he had a hand in three murders.

NICHOLLS CHALLENGES KAUFMAN’S ‘NEUTRALIZED’ DEFENSESenior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls challenged the defense of Nicholas Kaufman, arguing that the term “neutralized” in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” campaign meant to arrest and not to kill.Nicholls cited… pic.twitter.com/XyzBt2L0M4

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, lead counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, argues that with the exception of Kian Delos Santos, the prosecution has not presented evidence before the chamber establishing that any of the other victims identified in the 49 incidents were minors.… pic.twitter.com/bf0EnxOj03

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

PROSECUTION AND VICTIMS’ COUNSEL’S CLOSING STATEMENTS The International Criminal Court resumes former president Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation on charges after a 30-minute break. The court will now hear the closing statements of the common legal representatives of the victims… pic.twitter.com/KREhxprMih

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

‘HVT IS NOT A CODE FOR AN INSTRUCTION TO KILL’Nicholas Kaufman, lead defense counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, clarifies that HVT was an operational classification used by law enforcement and is not a code for an instruction to kill.•⁠ ⁠Follow live updates here… pic.twitter.com/aF0T8AsbbH

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

'RESPECT THE CHAMBER'S DECISION' Pre-Trial Chamber I Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc cautioned Duterte’s lead defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman against revealing identifiable information of victims and witnesses during the proceedings.It can be recalled that the livestream of the… pic.twitter.com/xNCFCD1r5Y

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

‘SHAPED INTO CLONES OF THEIR IDOL’

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said that something changed in Filipinos during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, as violence and threats were normalized and even treated as entertainment during his “war on drugs” campaign.… pic.twitter.com/x14V4TRQlS

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

KAUFMAN REFUTES DUTERTE LINK IN ESPINOSA KILLING

The case of the late Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa was cited by lead defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, who argued that the prosecution’s case linking former president Rodrigo Duterte to the killing was based on a witness… pic.twitter.com/fiww82M3IV

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

‘RESPECT THE CHAMBER’S DECISION REGARDING REDACTIONS’

ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc reminds Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman to refrain from exposing the identities of victims and witnesses during the session.

The broadcast of the third day of the… pic.twitter.com/dF1rpRA3ks

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

‘RESPECT THE CHAMBER’S DECISION REGARDING REDACTIONS’

ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc reminds Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman to refrain from exposing the identities of victims and witnesses during the session.

The broadcast of the third day of the… pic.twitter.com/dF1rpRA3ks

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

FINAL DAY OF DUTERTE ICC HEARING

The International Criminal Court begins the final day of its confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte over allegations of crimes against humanity in connection with his “war on drugs” campaign.

Duterte’s defense… pic.twitter.com/mMEO8qQi0g

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

The fourth and final day of the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I began on Friday.

LOOK: Human rights advocates and relatives of EJK victims stage a protest in UP Diliman on the last day of the confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court on Friday, Feb. 27. | @dMorcosoINQ

•⁠ ⁠Follow live… pic.twitter.com/kbtRvqts8W

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 27, 2026

Nicholas Kaufman, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer, said he felt sorry for a victim he saw weeping at the confirmation of charges hearing at the ICC.

Palace press officer Claire Castro urged Nicholas Kaufman to file cases if he saw abuses in the current administration’s anti-drug operations.

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday rejected claims made by alleged ex-Marines

The defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

More family members of those killed in the Philippines’ war on drugs are expected to seek recognition in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC), as their lawyers expressed confidence that the charges would proceed to trial.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team on Thursday maintained that the prosecution does not have substantial evidence