THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially designated human rights lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres as the legal representatives for victims in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The decision, issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) I on January 26, 2026, ensures that victims will have a voice during the upcoming confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for February 23, 2026.
Key Roles and Responsibilities Butuyan and Andres, both seasoned human rights advocates from CenterLaw Philippines, will serve as common legal representatives for at least 29 recognized victims (representing family members of those killed). Their appointment is based on several factors:
- Familiarity and Trust: The ICC noted their long-standing work assisting families of “war on drugs” victims and their ability to communicate complex legal proceedings in a language familiar to the victims.
- Competence: Both are among the few Filipino counsels registered with the ICC and have a deep understanding of the context behind the alleged crimes.
- Duty to Justice: Andres described the appointment as a “solemn duty and sacred trust,” aiming to pursue justice and truth under international law.
The Case Against Duterte The former president, who remains in custody at the ICC detention facility in The Hague, faces three counts of murder as crimes against humanity. The charges cover:
- Scope: 78 individuals killed in 49 specific incidents during his terms as Davao City Mayor and President of the Philippines.
- Fitness for Trial: The ICC recently ruled that Duterte is “fit to take part” in the proceedings, rejecting defense claims of cognitive impairment.
- Defense Strategy: Duterte’s lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, has vowed to appeal the fitness ruling, claiming a denial of due process and contesting the court’s medical assessment.
Victim Participation Of 304 total applications, the ICC has currently authorized 29 individuals (Group A) to participate in next month’s hearings. Applications that fell outside the “temporal or material scope” of the case (Group B and some of Group C) were rejected. The court clarified that “victims” include indirect family members who suffered harm due to the crimes.
The Philippine Government’s Stance Malacañang reiterated on Tuesday that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains “hands-off” regarding the ICC proceedings. Palace press officer Claire Castro stated that the government will not intervene, letting the international legal process take its course independently.
The designation of Butuyan and Andres is seen as a critical step in providing legal standing to those most affected by the antinarcotics crackdown as the case enters its most significant pretrial phase to date.