ICC: 2 judges in Duterte case not biased

MANILA, Philippines —  The plenary of judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has released its detailed explanation on why it dismissed the request for the partial disqualification of two judges handling proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In a 13-page decision dated July 3, the tribunal’s plenary of judges unanimously found that there was “no appearance of bias or lack of impartiality” on the part of Judges María del Socorro Flores Liera and Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou.

“The plenary of judges, acting unanimously, considers that no actual nor reasonable apprehension of bias arises in respect of Judges Alapini-Gansou and Flores,” read the ruling signed by ICC President Tomoko Akane.

“The plenary of judges considers that the judges acted, at all times, in accordance with the judicial duties assigned to them under the (Rome) Statute,” it added, referring to the treaty that established the ICC.

Detailed charges

Meanwhile, a document containing detailed charges and evidence against Duterte is expected to be filed by the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor this week, an accredited counsel representing some of the victims said.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Center for International Law executive director Gilbert Andres said the ICC Office of the Prosecutor was given until Friday, July 4, to file the DCC, or the document containing charges.

“This is actually the formal charges against Mr. Duterte… the particulars, the meat and bones, the four corners of the formal charges against Mr. Duterte,” he said.

The document, he noted, would be more extensive than the earlier application for an arrest warrant filed by the ICC prosecutor.