Duterte's Lawyers Challenge ICC Jurisdiction Over Drug War Case

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's legal team has formally challenged the International Criminal Court's (ICC) jurisdiction over his ongoing case for alleged crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs. In a detailed submission, his lawyers argued that the ICC lacks legal authority because the Philippines was no longer a party to the Rome Statute when the investigation was authorized, as the country's withdrawal took effect in March 2019. They requested the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber to immediately dismiss the case and release Duterte unconditionally, asserting that all proceedings after the withdrawal are without legal foundation. The ICC, however, maintains that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member, covering the period from 2011 to 2019. This legal dispute highlights a significant clash in interpretations of the Rome Statute, with Duterte's team pushing for pre-trial resolution to avoid further hearings. The outcome may set a precedent for how the ICC handles cases involving countries that have withdrawn from its jurisdiction.