FPRRD Found Fit to Stand ICC Trial

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Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (F.P.R.R.D.) is found fit to stand trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.), judges ruled on Thursday, clearing a major hurdle ahead of the trial proceedings scheduled to start on Nov. 30.

“The Chamber is satisfied that the expert panel’s reports are sufficiently conclusive to make a determination on the accused’s ability to participate in the trial proceedings and to effectively exercise his procedural and fair trial rights,” the 17-page redacted decision read. 

The decision was signed by Presiding Judge Joanna Korner and Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou, who compose the I.C.C. ‘s Trial Chamber III, the specific judicial panel responsible for conducting the full trial proceedings in F.P.R.R.D.’s case. 

Moreover, the judges rejected the defense’s request for additional examination and the conduct of an oral hearing on the former president’s fitness to stand trial.

The judges’ decision was based on the reports of the three-member panel formed to assess the medical condition of F.P.R.R.D..

According to the report, the experts found “no new evidence” that would alter their previous opinion: the former president is fit enough to stand trial, which was submitted ahead of the pre-trial proceedings earlier this year.

Furthermore, they have observed that F.P.R.R.D.’s health has improved since its previous report, attributing it to “the high standard of medical and nursing care, including diagnostic rigor and pharmacological rationalization.” 

Although there was some evidence of “pre-clinical” disease, the experts said that “any reduced mental capacity present is not such as to render Mr. Duterte unable to fulfill the necessary capacities.”

The experts found that F.P.R.R.D. has the capacity to understand the charges, the purpose and consequences of the proceedings, and the evidence presented during the trial.

In addition to this, they said F.P.R.R.D. is also capable of following the course of the proceedings, including the nature and implications of entering a plea, as well as instructing his counsel in the preparation and conduct of his defense.

The trial judges also noted the panel’s recommended measures in light of F.P.R.R.D.’s advanced age and condition.

Accordingly, these include using over-ear headphones or hearing aids during hearings; provision of care and support in relation to food, rest and exercise; taking hourly breaks; starting hearings no earlier than 11 a.m. and having a member of nursing staff available to assist with medication.

F.P.R.R.D.’s Disease

F.P.R.R.D.’s legal defense team continually argued that he suffered from “debilitating medical issues,” cognitive decline, and memory impairment, when he was to be flown to The Hague after getting arrested in Manila last March 2025.

However, in late 2025, the I.C.C. prosecutor explicitly stated in a court filing that F.P.R.R.D. was caught pretending to have cognitive damage, as he failed straightforward, simple memory challenges that even individuals with severe cognitive decline typically pass. 

The prosecutor concluded that it “strongly appears” the former president was exaggerating or faking mental decline as a legal strategy to dodge the proceedings.