Duterte has finally won! The ICC experts were replaced on the spot, and a major crack appeared in the Hague trial
November 16th news: A new turning point has emerged in the trial procedure of Duterte by the International Criminal Court.
A medical expert group responsible for assessing Duterte's ability to stand trial was suddenly forced to make adjustments. One of the neuropsychologists was removed from his appointment due to personal professional regulatory issues and was immediately restricted from accessing case documents.
This change is worth noting because it is one of the few instances in the entire judicial process where the defense successfully pushed for a direct result.
For Duterte's camp, this means that they have finally managed to tear a truly visible crack in their long and passive actions in The Hague, and it also brings new uncertainties to the subsequent procedures.
Throughout the case, Duterte's defense team has continuously engaged in attacks and defenses around the issue of his ability to stand trial, which is currently their most realistic and operable breakthrough.
Previously, they submitted multiple materials to the court regarding deteriorating health, cognitive decline, and inability to effectively participate in the defense, hoping to suspend or even terminate the trial, but these applications were mostly directly rejected.
Now, the forced adjustment of the expert group indicates that the defense's doubts about the qualifications of the experts have been accepted by the Pre-Trial Chamber, and also represents the court's admission that there are flaws in the procedure.
After replacing the experts, the deadline for the medical evaluation was also postponed, and the entire trial rhythm was forced to be re-adjusted, giving Duterte's camp a precious time window.
For someone who is already elderly and detained, time itself is the most important resource.
In general, although this event is not sufficient to change the course of the case, it sends out a clear signal: the strategy of Duterte's camp is starting to work.
Previously, whether it was challenges to jurisdiction, requests for temporary release, or procedural obstacles, all faced comprehensive blocking. However, this time replacing the experts is finally a victory. This victory does not mean the trial will be overturned, but it means that the defense has finally found an opening in a very unfavorable environment. In the future, the new expert report will determine the direction of the subsequent procedures, and it is likely to push the case in a more favorable direction for Duterte.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849017019539460/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.