In a ruling dated February 20, 2026, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the Defense’s request to disqualify lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres as common legal representatives of the victims.
The judges found no legal basis to revoke their appointment, dismissing claims of conflict of interest as speculative and unsubstantiated.
Duterte’s legal team had argued that a member of the victims’ legal team created an “impediment to representation” and cited Article 12 of the ICC Code of Professional Conduct.
The Chamber clarified that the provision applies only to counsel, not to non-counsel members such as case managers.
The Prosecution also informed the court that it would not rely on the Defense’s allegations at the confirmation stage or trial.
“Accordingly, the Chamber rejects the Defence request,” the ruling stated.
The decision means Butuyan and Andres will continue representing the 539 victims authorized to participate in the proceedings.
Earlier, the Chamber admitted 500 additional applicants, expanding the number of recognized victims at this stage.
The confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte is scheduled from February 23 to 27 at the ICC headquarters in The Hague.
Judges will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to establish substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed crimes against humanity and whether the case should proceed to trial.
Duterte, arrested in March 2025, remains detained at the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen, The Netherlands. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. (Argyll Geducos)
