Jonathan Frederic De Santos

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

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771740089079174415940833320250314-duterte-icc-medialdea-ICC-3-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="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"/>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</div>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 sufficientIn 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.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/22/duterte-s-confirmation-of-charges-hearing-what-to-expect-0933">Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing: What to expect </a></div>“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&quot; 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.”<div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/21/-for-12-p-m-feb-21-who-s-who-in-duterte-s-confirmation-of-charges-hearing-1200">Who’s who in Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing </a></div>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.

“The 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 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.

Medialdea, Panelo among ex-Duterte officials in Filipino team for ICC hearing

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Medialdea, Panelo among ex-Duterte officials in Filipino team for ICC hearing

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 22, 2026 02:05 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 22, 2026 08:06 PM PHT

Read More:

International Criminal Court

Rodrigo Duterte

Salvador Medialdea

Salvador Panelo

Silvestre Bello III

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