A Palace official has accused the legal counsel of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Nicholas Kaufman, of being delusional for accusing President Ferdinand Marcos of conspiring to "neutralize" the former by secretly supporting his prosecution before the  International Criminal Court (ICC).

Judges at the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday opened a confirmation of charges hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send him to trial on alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the country’s so-called “war on drugs”.

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte's lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman told victims' lawyer Joel Butuyan that the International Criminal Court decides based on "evidence" and not "political demagoguery" — then spent most of his own speech attacking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The protests are a sign of the Philippine ex-leader’s ongoing influence, even as he faces a possible trial for the deaths of thousands during his war on drugs.

RODRIGO Duterte personally authorised murders and hand-picked some of the victims of his "war on drugs", the International Criminal Court heard, as proceedings against the former president kicked off.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte says she will seek the presidency in the 2028 elections. Her bid would have to withstand new impeachment attempts and criminal complaints that could ban her from public office if convicted.

MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima confirmed that the four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte will be sent to the House of Representatives’ committee on justice when the chamber resumes its session on Monday.

More than 500 victims have been granted participation rights as judges assess whether there are substantial grounds to proceed to trial.