Manila, Philippines – A month ahead of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation hearing on his International Criminal Court (ICC) case, the registry submits a report on Group C Applications on Victim Participation in the Pre-Trial Proceedings.
Based on the public version of the Registry’s report, the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) have received a total of 303 application forms of war on drugs victims wishing to participate in the case.
VPRS however noted that this number is a limited figure of the total war on drugs victims who expressed willingness to join the case.
VPRS ensured that the applicants have an established identity, suffered harm as a result of the scope of Duterte’s case, and that these victims are eligible to provide clear information regarding the case.
The report further emphasized that the victims have expressed clear and deep commitment to pursue justice and that the majority of them are willing to re-tell their stories.
VPRS noted that they have submitted a limited sample of the Group C applications, containing small sections of quotes from the group C applications that will be conveyed to the case’s judges.
DEFENSE TEAM SUBMITS TIMELINE ON FPRRD’S CONFIRMATION HEARING
On the other hand, Duterte’s defense team have also filed their Defense Observations on the Organisation of the Hearing on the Confirmation of Charges.
Lead Defense Counsel Atty. Nicholas Kaufman submitted the observations, citing that the defense will be allotting 30 minutes each for their opening and closing statement.
The defense eyes three to four hours oral defense presentation, where they will discuss key points of the case and allegations.
In the document, Duterte’s camp reiterated that the former President did not commit any criminal offense and that he faithfully served his country.
It can be recalled that Duterte was arrested in March for the crimes against humanity related to the alleged killings tied with the war on drugs campaign.
Duterte’s confirmation hearing is set on September 23, while his camp re-appealed for his interim release from detention.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News