Duterte's lawyers ask ICC to remove two judges over impartiality concerns

Former President Rodrigo Duterte's legal team has again requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to remove two judges, María del Socorro Flores Liera and Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, questioning their impartiality.

The defense team argues that both judges have previously authorized the commencement of the investigation and have already formed opinions, making it impossible for them to rule fairly on the defense's challenge to the ICC's jurisdiction.

A motion filed on May 9, 2025, by lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, stated that the defense is asking for a fresh and objective perspective to uphold Duterte's right to a fair and impartial trial.

Kaufman also noted that since Judge Alapini-Gansou serves as the second vice president of the ICC, she should be disqualified from ruling on their request.

ICC president Tomoko Akane has requested Judges Liera and Alapini-Gansou until May 22 to submit their written observations on the defense plea, allowing the Office of the Prosecutor until the same date to file any response.

This new plea is different from a previous submission that merely "invited" the judges to partially excuse themselves, with the latest filing claiming conditions are satisfied to warrant disqualification from ruling on the jurisdiction issue.