ICC appoints new neuropsychologist for Duterte trial fitness assessment

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has appointed a new replacement neuropsychologist to a three-member panel tasked with assessing former President Rodrigo Duterte's fitness to stand trial.

This new expert replaces a previously appointed neuropsychologist who was disqualified due to "offensive" social media posts demonstrating a "manifest lack of professionalism."

The previous neuropsychologist was disqualified after it was discovered she was under an ongoing suspension related to her practice.

The ICC judges have given the medical experts until December 5, 2025, to submit their assessment report.

Following the submission, Duterte's lawyers, the prosecution, and victims must file their comments on the report by December 12, 2025.

The ICC Registry was admonished by the judges for failing to identify the problematic social media activity of the disqualified expert.

This assessment is a crucial step after Duterte's confirmation of charges hearing was indefinitely postponed on September 8, as his legal team claimed cognitive decline rendered him unfit for trial.