THE Philippines and the Netherlands are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, a milestone that coincides with renewed attention on The Hague as the International Criminal Court (ICC) begins the pre-trial, or confirmation of charges, proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The hearings, which start this week and are expected to last until February 27, come after repeated efforts by Duterte’s defense team to delay the process.
All eyes are on The Hague, the Dutch city known as the “International City of Peace and Justice” and home to several key global institutions, including the ICC, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
The Hague has played a central role in recent Philippine legal history. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal there ruled in favor of the Philippines in its maritime case against China.
More recently, it has been the site of Duterte’s detention, where his family, including Vice President Sara Duterte, has made frequent visits.
Supporters living in Europe have also staged public demonstrations, spreading picnic blankets, sharing meals, and at times carrying placards protesting the Philippine government’s cooperation with the ICC.
Despite the high-profile legal proceedings, the Philippines’ relationship with the Netherlands extends far beyond judicial matters.
Known globally for its tulips, windmills, cheese, and world-class art museums, the Netherlands has maintained steady diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties with the Philippines over the past seven and a half decades.
Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands, Eduardo Malaya, described the bilateral relations as “low-profile but enduring,” highlighting collaboration across trade, cultural exchange, and multilateral cooperation in international forums.
As the ICC proceedings unfold, the Netherlands serves as both a legal stage for high-profile international justice and a long-standing partner in Philippine diplomacy.