Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, 81, is set to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) this Wednesday. This marks his first public appearance since his arrest and transfer to The Hague in March 2025. Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, faces serious charges of crimes against humanity. These allegations stem from his government's controversial 'war on drugs,' during which he is accused of creating, funding, and arming death squads that targeted suspected narcotics users and peddlers.

The upcoming court session is expected to focus on a critical procedural question: whether Duterte is suffering from genuine memory loss or if he is 'malingering'—a term used to describe the intentional faking or exaggeration of physical or mental symptoms to avoid legal consequences. The court’s assessment of his mental state will likely determine the trajectory of the ongoing murder trial. While the charges involve systemic violence during his tenure, the immediate focus of the proceedings is the defendant's capacity to participate in his own defense. As of now, the court has not released specific details regarding the medical experts who will testify or the exact criteria being used to evaluate his condition. The proceedings represent a significant moment in the international legal effort to hold former heads of state accountable for actions taken during their time in office.