ICC judges seek dismissal of Duterte's disqualification bid
Two judges handling the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court (ICC) have asked the tribunal to dismiss the disqualification bid against them, calling it groundless.
In a 3-page document dated May 22, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera stressed that they abide by their undertaking to exercise their judicial functions impartially.
'[T]here are no grounds to doubt our impartiality in the current case and none of the criteria established under article 41(2) of the Rome Statute are met,' it read.
'We, as judges, act at all times in accordance with our judicial duties under the Rome Statute and kindly request the Plenary of Judges to reject the Disqualification Request,' it added.
Duterte's camp previously requested the Presidency to disqualify Alpini-Gansou and Flores Liera from adjudicating on the issue of jurisdiction.
The judges, however, said that when the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 addressed the issue of jurisdiction in the Philippines' case, it did so in accordance with its duties, within the limits of the proceeding, and without prejudice to the future determinations of the same issue.
It said that the chamber only previously considered the matter of jurisdiction in relation to the question whether there is a basis for the ICC Prosecutor to proceed with its investigation in the country.
The judges said that the arguments raised by the Duterte camp were not considered by the Chamber at that time.
'Thus, it is untenable to suggest that judges cannot adjudicate a matter which is legally within their competence just because they previously issued judicial decisions at different stages of the proceedings in the same Situation on the basis of different arguments,' it read.
'As mentioned earlier, judges are professionals capable of deciding on issues before them relying solely and exclusively on the evidence and submissions adduced in the particular case,' it added.
Duterte is currently under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.
The confirmation of charges will take place on September 23, 2025.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
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