Truth Commission's probe will go beyond cases covered by ICC

Philippine Truth Commission chairperson and former International Criminal Court (ICC) judge Raul Pangalangan says the commission's probe will cover cases beyond the incidents listed in former president Rodrigo Duterte's ICC cases.

As to the testimonies, Pangalangan says they will ensure that the evidence they will gather will be assess properly to avoid impartiality. Meanwhile, the commissioners also ensured that the witnesses who will come forward will be protected.

"We will make sure that they are protected," commissioner Carlos Conde says.

WATCH: The International Criminal Court Trial Chamber III holds a status conference on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case on Wednesday, May 27, weeks after the pre-trial chamber confirmed Duterte’s cases.

https://www.youtube.com/live/7Sh1eVDTRfI?si=7m9xw3SjypTRHNoT

Good afternoon! The ICC Trial Chamber III begins the first status conference on former president Rodrigo Duterte's case on Wednesday, May 27.

Judge Joanna Korner sits as the presiding judge of the Trial Camber I. She is joined by Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou.

Here's our backgrounder on the three new judges handling Duterte's case:

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/things-to-know-icc-judges-rodrigo-duterte-trial/

4:00 pm

Trial Chamber I begins the status conference

Peter Haynes and Kate Gibson are present as Duterte’s counsel and associate, respectively. 

4:11 pm 

First agenda are the trial dates and deadlines

Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls says they want November 30 as the date for the start of trial. 

4:17 pm

Chamber says there are pressing issues that require the trial to start as soon as possible, including Duterte’s health 

Victims are amenable to November 30 as the start of trial date, but not with January 2027, says victims’ representative Paolina Massida. Originally, the victims wanted the trial to start in September. 

The parties, including the chamber, say hiring of translators should be taken into consideration since some of the witnesses will speak other languages, apart from English. 

4:24 pm

The prosecution aims to submit around 60-70 witnesses 

Nicholls says six months is a long time to wait for the trial to start. He says there is a big interest in the trial in the Philippines. 

197 speeches submitted as prosecution's evidence

(Highlights as of 4:43 pm)

- The chamber discusses other documentary evidence

- The chamber says 197 speeches are submitted by the prosecution as evidence. 

- “[That’s] too much, particularly if they would say the same thing,” Presiding Judge Joanna Korner says. 

- Prosecution’s Julian Nicholls says they would narrow down the numbers, adding that they will not play everything during the trial. 

4:50 pm 

- The chamber discusses the protection of the victims and witnesses and their participation in the proceedings under Article 68 of the Rome Statute

4:52 pm
-The chamber discusses the agreed facts, under Article 69 of the Rome Statue

4:58 pm 
-The chamber discusses again the interpretation and language to be used during the trial

-Presiding Judge Joanna Korner says Duterte is a lawyer and a former president who knows how to speak English.

-However, Duterte’s counsels say he would not need an interpreter

5:58 pm 
-The chamber discusses participation of victims

-Haynes says there should be a careful consideration into allowing victims’ participation, given the big number of victims

6:00 pm 

-Massida says they are expecting a number of victims to manifest participation in the proceedings.

Presiding judge's disclosures

ICC Trial Chamber I Presiding Judge Joanna Korner says the pool of international criminal lawyers and judges is limited, so there is a probability that they already know each other.

She discloses that she has both knows the lawyers from the prosecution and the defense. Korner says she knows prosecution lawyers Eduard Jeremy and Julian Nicholls.

She also says that she has met Duterte's lawyer Peter Haynes before in social functions and conferences.

ICC Trial Chamber wants to check Duterte's health status

ICC Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joanna Korner says they have to postpone the setting of Duterte's trial date until experts have examined the former president's fitness for trial. She reiterates that the chamber must know the former president's health status.

WATCH: The International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III will hold a status conference on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case on Wednesday, May 27, weeks after the pre-trial chamber confirmed Duterte’s cases. https://www.youtube.com/live/CLE8iQk1oQo?si=i6PPVeRHAcc1bQ9b

WATCH: The International Criminal Court's Trial Chamber III scheduled the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte on November 30, 2026, the chamber announced on Wednesday, May 27. https://www.youtube.com/live/BBL3qEBA7sU?si=e1pjNZRwmumGdihX

BREAKING NEWS. Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan are facing plunder and graft charges for their alleged involvement in the flood control corruption scandal. 

The Ombudsman filed the cases with the Sandiganbayan on Thursday, May 28.

This is Estrada's third plunder case as he previously faced charges over the jueteng scandal and pork barrel scam. He was acquitted in these cases.

NEWS UPDATE: The Department of Justice's National Prosecution Service confirms it received the Philippine National Police's obstruction of justice complaint against Senator Robin Padilla in relation to Senator Bato dela Rosa's escape.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon confirms to reporters that they received the complaint around late afternoon on Thursday, May 28. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

Remulla’s options to Jinggoy: Arrest or surrender

Interior chief Jonvic Remulla tells Rappler that he has already talked to Senator Jinggoy Estrada, saying he gave him two options — be arrested or surrender to the authorities — once the Sandiganbayan issues warrants.

Remulla adds that Estrada told him that he needs medical attention.

“He mentioned that he needed knee replacement surgery but I said that would be for the Sandiganbayan’s appreciation,” the interior chief said.

Meanwhile, Remulla says the police will immediately implement the warrants as soon as the Sandiganbayan issues them. He adds that it’s up to the Sandiganbayan where to detain Estrada while the trial is ongoing.

“We do not have the power to recommend the venue of incarceration. The Sandiganbayan chooses according to its list of requirements. Primary of which is the proximity to the trial venue,” he explains.

LOOK: Arrest warrant out for Senator Jinggoy Estrada and ex-DPWH chief Bonoan

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has released the arrest warrant against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and ex-Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary Manuel Bonoan for their graft cases in relation to the flood control scandal.

The anti-graft court has set a P90,000-bail for each.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada to post bail before Sandiganbayan

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, in a statement on Friday, May 29, says he will be personally post bail for his graft case before the Sandiganbayan.

This comes after the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division issued a warrant of arrest against the Senator in relation to his involvement in the flood control scandal.

“I intend to avail myself of every lawful means to defend myself and clear my name,” Estrada says.

According to Senator Jinggoy Estrada's counsel, Noel Ostrea, the embattled senator is on his way to the Sandiganbayan to post bail.

Based on the understanding of Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s camp, the police will no longer arrest him because the lawmaker will surrender to the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division to post bail for his graft case, says Estrada’s lawyer Noel Ostrea.

Under the rules, the police have discretion on whether or not to arrest a person facing a bailable offense if he or she is on his or her way to court to surrender and post bail. | via Jairo Bolledo/Rappler

Senator Jinggoy Estrada posts P90,000-bail for his graft case.

Since he has no warrant yet on his plunder case, Estrada will remain free for now. | via Jairo Bolledo/Rappler

Sandiganbayan 5th Division yet to issue warrant for Jinggoy’s plunder case

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice and 2nd Division chairperson Geraldine Faith Econg says the 5th Division is still deliberating on Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s plunder case because of pending motions so they have yet to decide whether to issue a warrant or not.

Earlier, Estrada’s lawyer Noel Ostrea said they filed motions to ask the anti-graft court to defer its issuance of warrants. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

Bonoan posts bail for graft case

Former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan posts bail for his graft case, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg confirms. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler