ICC urged to reject Duterte's appeal on jurisdiction

The Office of the Prosecutor and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) have urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber to reject former President Rodrigo Duterte's appeal concerning the court's jurisdiction.

In separate filings, both offices argued that Duterte's appeal lacks merit and that the ICC's jurisdiction over him should be upheld.

The Office of the Prosecutor stated that Duterte's grounds for appeal are incorrect and that proceedings should continue.

The OPCV highlighted that the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute does not prevent the ICC from investigating issues that arose when the country was a member.

The ICC prosecution formally requested that the court uphold its jurisdiction over alleged crimes against humanity committed during Duterte's administration, despite the nation's withdrawal from the court.

Prosecutors contend that Article 127 of the Rome Statute acts as a specific safeguard, or lex specialis, designed to prevent states from evading accountability through sudden withdrawal.

Citing the treaty's text, the prosecution emphasized that withdrawal cannot erase the court's authority over past crimes.