MANILA – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s request to suspend the ruling on his bid for interim release, deferring its decision until further notice.

In a decision issued on July 23, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, by majority vote, agreed to delay ruling on Duterte’s urgent request for interim release filed last June 12. The court said the postponement will remain in effect until Duterte’s legal team submits additional supporting information, or until the chamber deems it appropriate to proceed.

The decision came in response to Duterte’s July 14 plea asking the chamber to “suspend its adjudication” on the interim release request “until such time as the Defence has assembled all information necessary in support.”

The prosecution opposed the move, arguing that the defense should not be allowed to delay the court’s decision simply because it prematurely filed a motion it could not fully support. However, the chamber ruled that since interim release proceedings under Article 60(2) of the Rome Statute can only be initiated by the person subject to arrest, the court will allow flexibility in timing.

“To ensure that a decision on the Interim Release Request is appropriately informed, the Majority considers it appropriate, in the circumstances, to defer the issuance of its decision,” the ruling stated.

The chamber also made clear that the deferral “shall not be construed as prejudging any matter to be determined” in connection with Duterte’s request.

The second issue raised in Duterte’s filing—an appeal for the court to order or encourage certain procedures—was rejected by the judges as unrelated to the main purpose of the motion.

The decision was approved by Judges Iulia Antoanella Motoc and Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, with Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera dissenting.

Duterte is facing proceedings before the ICC over allegations of crimes against humanity committed in connection with the drug war during his presidency.