Lawyer Martin Delgra III, legal counsel of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said Duterte’s decision to appear in person before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday reflected his resolve to face the proceedings in his crimes against humanity case.
Duterte’s appearance came during the third status conference and marked his first in-person appearance before the ICC since he was detained in The Hague in March 2025. Unlike in previous hearings, he did not waive his attendance.
Delgra said Duterte’s presence was primarily in compliance with a court order requiring the accused to attend the status conference unless the defense filed a waiver.
“Because of the court order. The status conference called by the court requires the presence of the respondent, the accused in this case, the former President PRRD. But the defense team could have filed a waiver if they wanted that the former president would not want to appear. But apparently they did not file a waiver,” Delgra told Edge Davao.
Delgra said he had expected Duterte to attend but was not certain until the defense decided not to file a waiver.
He also described Duterte’s appearance as significant, saying it allowed the public to see the former president after more than a year in detention.
“So, yes, to appear, and it’s a good thing that we saw him for… after more than a year. Sad, but happy that he’s still alive and fighting for practically the entire political life that he had. It’s always for the people,” Delgra said.
Duterte’s appearance also drew considerable public and media attention, according to Delgra, who noted that coverage shifted toward the former president following other major political developments earlier in the day.
“Now, that said, as you can see, there was so much news in the morning about the impeachment trial, especially the appearance of the four justices as amici curiae. But in the afternoon, everything was about the former president, Tatay Digong, Mayor Rody, FPRRD. So, all the way up to evening, it was all about him,” he said.
Delgra said he observed largely favorable reactions to Duterte’s appearance, while acknowledging that his estimate was not based on a formal public-opinion survey.
“But if you make a kind of a quick survey, 80% to 90% is favorable to him,” he said.
He attributed the reactions partly to the emotional response of supporters and other Filipinos who saw Duterte publicly after a prolonged period in detention.
“Why is that? Because there have been some strong emotional reactions when they first saw the former president after more than one and a half years in seclusion. So, for a lot of people, it was something very personal,” he explained.
Delgra also raised concerns about Duterte’s well-being, recalling that he had been worried about the former president since his transfer to The Hague.
“When he was taken, because I was there, and I know how weak he was in Villamor Air Base when he was taken out, I was really concerned about his health. I was not sure whether he can last. Last too long in prison, and in isolation, if I have to say this,” he said.
He cited isolation, the cold weather and food restrictions as some of the challenges Duterte has faced while in detention.
“He cannot have the food that he likes. It’s the food that’s being cooked inside that he’s allowed to eat and can only eat for that matter,” Delgra said.
Despite these concerns, Delgra said seeing Duterte in court reassured him that the former president could continue facing the proceedings.
“Pero having seen him yesterday, nabuhi jud akong dugo, no? Sad, but I was also happy na musukol jud. I just pray to God that he will last until the trial is over and until he comes home to Davao City alive. But we continue to pray for that,” he said.
Delgra said Duterte’s appearance also strengthened his hope that the former president would endure the proceedings.
“I’m hopeful sa akong nakita na nilahutay jud sya, nilahutay jud. Musukol jud ang tao, labi na og barugan nimo ang isa ka kausa na sa imong pagtuo sakto ang imong gibuhat. Mubarog jud,” Delgra stressed.
Meanwhile, the ICC Chamber has yet to make a final determination on Duterte’s fitness to stand trial. The trial is currently scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026.
