section_path: Court proceedings/Pre-trial proceedings
section_name: Pre-trial proceedings
paragraph_text: Pre-trial proceedings
  
  Rodrigo Duterte appeared via video link at the ICC for the confirmation of charges hearing on March 14, 2025. Duterte's camp made prior request to postpone Duterte's first appearance postponed which was rejected. Salvador Medialdea reiterated this request in his manifestation.
  
  The confirmation of the charges is scheduled on September 23, 2025. Nicholas Kaufman will be the lead counsel of Duterte's defence team. Lawyers Harry Roque and Salvador Medialdea were initially selected to be supporting members of Duterte's defence team as well. However, Duterte's daughter and current Vice President Sara Duterte later stated that Roque and Medialdea would no longer be part of the defense team, which would instead be composed of foreign lawyers with experience in the ICC. Dov Jacobs was tapped to be associate counsel.
  
  Kaufman has stated he will argue that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the case to avert the start of a trial. He will also be working to secure an interim release for Duterte but no timeline for the application for such has been given.