“I’m a bit disappointed at the practices of the ICC that has delayed the visit of a family member to an accused. We look up to the ICC as a model for international justice and the fact that it has taken two days for a family member to see the accused, I think does not speak well of,” he told the media.
The former presidential spokesperson, together with Vice President Sara Duterte, and Senator Robin Padilla arrived at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Headquarters on Friday to show support for the former president.
He currently faces an arre
st order for skipping a House inquiry regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).
Roque then told media that the vice president and her father will meet after the latter's pre-trial appearance.
“As we speak, the Vice President Sara Duterte is going to meet for the first time her father. She has not had the occasion and neither have I had the occasion to meet with the [former] president,” Roque said.
On the same day, he said that the vice president’s meeting with the former chief executive ‘is a priority.’
“So ang priority ko, actually, is to make sure magkita muna silang mag-ama, dahil ni hindi pa alam ni presidente na nandito si Vice President…I want them so see each other outside of the court first,” Roque told the media in an interview.
The former president faced the ICC for his pre-trial appearance, wherein Pre-trial Chamber I verified the identity of the suspect and ensured that he was clearly informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed and of his rights under the Rome Statute of the ICC in a language he fully understands and speaks.
He faced the ICC trial via video link from the ICC Detention Centre, as authorised by the Chamber. The hearing was held in the presence of the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.
Roque also bared the legal team defending Duterte, composed of himself, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, and a member of the British Bar, a certain Attorney Kaufman whom he said is another listed ICC counsel.
“Sa ngayon ay iisa pa lang ang na-recognize na lawyer, si Attorney Medialdea dahil siya nga yung kasama. Pero we have filled up all the documents para mapasama din ako sa team of counsels,” Roque told reporters.
The ICC rejected the appeal to postpone Duterte’s first appearance, since there was no need and it was net yet time to present the former president’s defenses and evidence.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro told the media on Friday night that the pre-trial of the former president was for everyone to see ‘how justice starts to roll down.’
She said that Duterte was afforded his fundamental rights as a suspect of crimes against humanity, specifically murder.
“Therefore, it reveals further that FP (former President) Duterte was indeed afforded his fundamental rights as a suspect of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, contrary to Duterte's camp statements. This is what we call fair trial,” Castro told the reporters.
Medialdea, the only present defending counsel during the pre-trial, argued that his client was ‘abducted from his country’ and was suffering from ‘debilitating medical issues.’
Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc said on the trial that she conveyed the opinion of the court's doctor that Duterte was "fully and mentally aware and fit," and that he underwent medical checks at the ICC detention facility.
“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 with regard to the warrant of arrest, with regard to the crimes committed, with regard to the charges and any other matters associated with his arrest and the matters of jurisdiction of the court,” Motoc explained.
She added that the former executive secretary can have the opportunity to argue for the cases against Duterte during the confirmation of charges.
The confirmation of charges hearing shall be scheduled on September 23, 2025.
Duterte was turned over to the ICC on Wednesday night for alleged human rights violations regarding his drug war.
The ICC launched an investigation on drug killings under Duterte from November 1, 2011, when he was still mayor of Davao City, to March 16, 2019, as possible crimes against humanity.
