A clear-eyed look at Duterte’s legacy — where leadership met truth, and truth endured.

“Strength That Leaves a Mark.”

More Duterte StoriesPolitikanta Media Hub

Support Politikanta Minute

Your support keeps independent commentary alive.

☕ Buy us a coffee and keep the conversation going

Buy me a Coffee

A clear-eyed look at Duterte’s legacy — where leadership met truth, and truth endured.

“Strength That Leaves a Mark.”

More Duterte StoriesPolitikanta Media Hub

DUTERTE Media Hub

Mandaluyong City

COURTESY CALL OF H.E. SARAH HULTON, OBE

Tap to view

Daraga, Albay

PAGBISITA SA MAGNEGOSYO TA ‘DAY BENEFICIARY

Tap to view

Sto. Cristo, Daraga, Albay

PAGBISITA SA RELIGIOUS SHOP NI ROSANA

Tap to view

Exterior view of the International Criminal Court headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, with the ICC emblem displayed outside the building.

ICC Rejects Duterte Appeal on Registry Communications Disclosure

duterte-legacy

January 06, 2026•1 min read

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected an appeal filed by former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, seeking access to internal communications between the court’s registry and an independent panel of medical experts.

In a five-page ruling dated December 23, 2025, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber ruled that there was no legal basis to grant the defense request. The court found that the requested communications were not essential to the defense’s case and that sufficient information had already been provided through official transmissions and annexed expert reports.

The chamber emphasized that the registry’s role in coordinating with experts—such as issuing instructions or facilitating evaluations—does not automatically require disclosure, especially in the absence of evidence suggesting procedural irregularities or prejudice to the accused.

The ruling further stated that the defense had already been informed of the materials relevant to the panel’s assessment of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial. As such, the court concluded that granting the request would not materially affect the proceedings.

This decision marks another procedural setback for Duterte’s legal team as the ICC continues to address pre-trial matters related to the former leader’s case.

Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPT

ICCRodrigoDuterteInternationalJusticeRuleOfLawGlobalNews

Politikantaminute

Back to Blog

Trending Today

Inday Sara: Tested by Trials, Standing for the Nation

Darryl Yap’s recent post about Vice President Sara Duterte struck a chord online, amassing thousands of comments and shares. His words painted a portrait of resilience: “Nagtitiwala, tumulong, tinraydor, siniraan, patuloy na pinahihirapan.”

For her supporters, Sara Duterte is not just a political figure — she is a daughter honoring her father’s legacy, and a leader standing up for the country amidst criticism and betrayal.

The post frames her as a defender of the nation, ready to battle what Yap describes as the “pulang halimaw na umuuto ng rosas,” a direct jab at political rivals. This strong imagery highlights how polarized Philippine politics has become — where allegiances, narratives, and symbols are constantly weaponized.

But beyond the rhetoric lies the bigger question: Can Sara Duterte truly rise above political attacks and prove herself as a unifying leader, or will she remain trapped in the cycle of partisan battles?

As the political landscape heats up, one thing remains clear — Sara Duterte continues to be a central figure in shaping the nation’s political future.

💭 What’s your take? Is Sara Duterte the resilient leader her supporters believe her to be — or just another political personality caught in the storm?

View Video

More for You

👍 👎 💬

ICC to Decide Duterte’s Fitness to Stand Trial by January—A Question of Process, Not Guilt

The ICC is set to decide by January whether former President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial, following medical evaluations focused on procedural capacity.

👍👎💬

From Allegations to Accountability: Why the Case vs VP Sara Raises More Questions Than Answers

VP Sara Duterte faces allegations despite three clean COA audits. This analysis questions credibility, timing, and selective justice behind the case.

👍👎💬

Lawyers Claim ‘Short-Term Memory’ Issue to Halt ICC Trial—A Legal Strategy, Not a Verdict

Duterte’s lawyers raise health concerns before the ICC as a procedural move, but no final ruling has declared him unfit for trial, with jurisdiction still contested.

👍👎💬

VP Sara Duterte on Fresh Impeachment Threats

Vice President Sara Duterte addressed renewed threats of impeachment against her with a blunt assessment of public sentiment: the people are tired.

👍👎💬

VP Sara Duterte at +31%

Even as the administration points to ongoing probes and institutional processes, critics note that most of those charged are contractors and mid-level figures—while those who approved or benefited remain insulated.

👍👎💬

VP Sara Duterte on Alleged Teves Visit

visit to detained former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., saying she would neither confirm nor deny the matter.

👍👎💬

DILG Clarifies: VP Sara Duterte Visited Arnie Teves, Not Ramil Madriga

Vice President Sara Duterte saying she would neither confirm nor deny the matter.

👍👎💬

OVP Secures ₱889M Budget After Bicam Approval: Mandate Preserved Despite Pressure

The bicameral conference committee restores the OVP’s ₱889.2M 2026 budget, affirming constitutional limits amid political pressure and impeachment issues.

👍👎💬

Supreme Court Takes Up Review of Duterte Arrest and ICC Surrender

The Supreme Court begins En Banc review of habeas corpus petitions questioning the arrest and ICC surrender of former President Duterte, raising key constitutional issues.

👍👎💬

They Will Not Step Down Until the People Say So: Power, Accountability, and the Duterte Stand

A firm statement from the Duterte camp underscores a belief in leadership rooted in public mandate, not political pressure—raising questions about power, accountability, and who truly decides when leaders step down.

👍👎💬