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ICC Appeals Chamber Confirms Jurisdiction in Duterte Case

The ICC Appeals Chamber on 22 April 2026 confirmed the Court's jurisdiction over The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte case, rejecting by majority the Defence's appeal against Pre-Trial Chamber I's October 2025 decision. The Chamber held that jurisdiction attaches for alleged crimes committed on Philippines territory from 1 November 2011 (when the Philippines became a State Party to the Rome Statute) through 16 March 2019 (when withdrawal became effective), even though the Philippines deposited its withdrawal notice on 17 March 2018. The ruling interprets articles 12, 13, and 127 of the Rome Statute as requiring the relevant State to be a Party at the time the Court exercises jurisdiction, while preventing a State from evading accountability by withdrawing after investigations begin.