MANILA — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have denied former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for an additional expert report, saying it is no longer necessary as a periodic review of his detention will soon be submitted.

In a report, it said that in a five-page resolution dated January 7, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said the medical examination conducted by three court-appointed experts already provides an independent assessment of Duterte’s condition, including whether he is fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings.

“In these circumstances, the Chamber sees no reason to order the Panel to prepare any additional report that exceeds its mandate,” the chamber said.

The ruling stemmed from a request filed by Duterte’s defense team on December 19, 2025, seeking an expert report to assess the former president’s cognitive condition in the event of another bid for interim release, instead of limiting the evaluation to his fitness to stand trial.

The Pre-Trial Chamber I said the independent report was sufficient and has already been made available to the defense, which may cite it in its observations regarding Duterte’s nine-month detention.

Parties and participants in the periodic review of Duterte’s detention are expected to submit their observations on Friday, January 9.

“In light of the above, the Chamber rejects the Defence’s Request for an Expert Report,” the resolution read.

The chamber has yet to schedule a hearing for the periodic review.

Earlier, the pre-trial judges also denied Duterte’s request to disclose communications between the ICC Registry and medical experts, saying the independent assessment already contains the relevant information on how the expert panel conducted the examination.

Duterte’s request for urgent interim release was previously denied on September 26, 2025, a ruling later upheld by the ICC Appeals Chamber on November 28, 2025.

The Appeals Chamber rejected all three grounds raised by the defense, agreeing with the pre-trial chamber that Duterte remains a flight risk and could potentially interfere with ongoing investigations.

It also affirmed that the pre-trial chamber did not disregard the possibility of interim release on humanitarian grounds, noting that such arguments were not sufficiently established.

The ICC Prosecution has filed three counts of crimes against humanity against Duterte, citing at least 76 killings between 2013 and 2018 allegedly linked to the Davao Death Squad and anti-crime and anti-drug operations during his tenure as mayor and later as president.