Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stands as a legal counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte during his initial appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, March 14, 2025. ICC
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands — Some former members of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet are set to attend his confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week as his Filipino legal team, his family said in a statement on Sunday — the eve of proceedings to determine if there is sufficient
In a statement the Duterte family said that the following lawyers will be part of the team:
- Salvador Medialdea, former executive secretary
- Salvador Panelo, former presidential chief legal counsel
- Silvestre Bello III, former labor secretary
- Martin Delgra, former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chief - Cesar Dulay, former Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner
- Alfredo Lim, former president of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing: What to expect
“The following lawyers will attend the Confirmation of Charges hearing in order to ensure that he is properly represented by a Filipino legal team,” the Dutertes said.
The Duterte family did not say if they will be attending the hearing, but noted that “there are no approved in-person family visits" to the clan patriarch during the hearings.
“Telephone call will continue to be made available,” the family said.
They thanked the Filipino lawyers for their support and the Filipino community in The Hague “for ensuring a platform where the voice of every Filipino who speaks out against injustice is heard.”
Who’s who in Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing
The Filipino lawyers are expected to have a seat in the public gallery and attend the entire proceedings throughout the week, Panelo told ABS-CBN News.
He said they will meet with the foreign legal team to coordinate on the proceedings.
“I want to see my friend. I want to see also what is happening there and how the Defense team is doing its job and give some insights if they ask for it,” he added.
Under the Rome Statute, only ICC-accredited lawyers may officially represent any party in court.
Duterte’s legal counsel is led by British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman with veteran trial lawyer Dov Jacobs his associate counsel.