MANILA — The International Criminal Court rejects Tagalog request from the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) to use the Filipino language in part of its opening statement during the upcoming trial of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte.
At Monday’s pre-trial conference, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner considered the request, which OPCV Principal Counsel Paolina Massidda said would make the presentation more accessible and relatable to Filipino victims.
Massidda clarified that the proposed use of Tagalog would be limited to approximately 15 minutes of an opening statement expected to run for more than an hour.
Korner maintained that English and French are the ICC’s official working languages under the Rome Statute, stressing that the use of other languages would require exceptional justification.
She noted that interpretation services would be provided during the proceedings and that the court could make a Tagalog translation or transcript available on its website.
The presiding judge also observed that not all victims necessarily speak Tagalog, as some may communicate in other Philippine languages.
Korner further cautioned that approving the request could prompt similar applications from other parties, potentially increasing the complexity and cost of court proceedings.
She ultimately ruled that the opening statement must be delivered in English, in keeping with the court’s established language requirements.
PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE TACKLES OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
The parties and the court also discussed practical arrangements for the trial, including differences in time zones and the schedule of court sessions.
Monday’s conference served as the final status hearing before the proceedings begin on November 30.
Duterte had waived his right to attend the hearing, having previously appeared at the third and fourth status conferences.
DUTERTE FACES THREE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY COUNTS
The former president is facing three counts of crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege that he was involved in at least 76 murders committed between 2013 and 2018 in connection with his campaign against illegal drugs.
The trial is set to open on November 30 and could continue for several months or even years.
VICTIMS’ PARTICIPATION IN ICC PROCEEDINGS
The case concerns alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, covering his time as Davao City mayor and as president of the Philippines.
Under the Rome Statute, victims may participate in ICC proceedings through legal representatives, subject to the court’s rules and the judges’ decisions. The OPCV assists victims and represents their interests during proceedings.
English and French are the ICC’s working languages. The court provides interpretation and translation services to help participants who speak other languages understand and take part in the proceedings.