OPCV urges ICC to reject Duterte's postponement request

The Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to reject Rodrigo Duterte's defense team request to postpone a decision on its jurisdictional challenge.

In a filing dated July 24, OPCV principal counsel Paolina Massidda argued that the defense's bid lacks proper procedural foundation and is contrary to victims' interests.

The OPCV criticized the former president's defense for raising speculative arguments unrelated to the ICC's jurisdiction over alleged crimes in the Philippines.

The OPCV emphasized that victims have a statutory right to legal certainty and timely participation under the Rome Statute, urging the Court to rule promptly on the challenge.

ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I has issued an arrest warrant for Duterte, and his defense team had earlier argued for an early ruling to prevent unnecessary resource expenditure.