Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte made his first appearance by video link at the International Criminal Court on Friday on charges of crimes against humanity related to his deadly war on drugs.
Presiding judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc said Mr Duterte had been allowed to participate in his first ICC hearing by video link because he had just come off a long flight. He had “a long journey with considerable time difference”, she said.
Mr Duterte was taken to hospital for observation on arrival in The Hague, where the ICC is based, because he is “hard of hearing and poor of sight”, his lawyer Salvador Medialdea said. He described the way his client was brought to the Netherlands as “pure and simple kidnapping”.
Mr Duterte, wearing a jacket and tie, spoke briefly to confirm his name and date of birth in the landmark case for the world body. He faces murder allegations related to his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers in the Philippines that rights groups say killed tens of thousands of people.
The date of Mr Duterte's confirmation of charges hearing was set for September 23. Judges will then assess whether there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial, which could take years. If Mr Duterte is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Mr Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday and then flown to The Hague. As he landed in Europe, the former leader appeared to accept responsibility for his actions, saying in a Facebook video: “I have been telling the police, the military, that it was my job and I am responsible.”
Judge Motoc said Mr Duterte had been judged “fully mentally aware and fit” by the court's doctor and had been informed of his rights.
Unprecedented pressure
The high-profile case comes at a critical moment for the ICC as it faces unprecedented pressure. It has been criticised for its slow trials and relatively low number of convictions. In two decades, prosecutors have won six convictions for the court's core crimes, all of them against former African militia leaders.
The ICC has no police force and relies on its 125 member states to detain fugitives. Its top suspects remain at large. Outstanding arrest warrants for political and military leaders include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir. Sudan has slammed the ICC as a neocolonialist court.
Last month, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the court over what he said were “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war.
The ICC is also facing a UN-led investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by its chief prosecutor Karim Khan, allegations that he denies.
Mr Khan hailed Mr Duterte's arrest as a key moment for victims of the Philippine drug war and for international justice.
“Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But as I also repeatedly emphasise, international law is not as weak as some may think,” Mr Khan said in a statement following Mr Duterte's arrival in ICC custody. “When we come together … when we build partnerships, the rule of law can prevail. Warrants can be executed.”
At the initial hearing, a suspect can request interim release pending a trial, according to ICC rules. Following that first hearing, the next phase is a session to confirm the charges, at which point a suspect can challenge the prosecutor's evidence. Only after that hearing will the court decide whether to press ahead with a trial.
“It's important to underline, as we now start a new stage of proceedings, that Mr Duterte is presumed innocent,” said Mr Khan.
Mr Duterte is the first Asian former head of state to appear before the court. His arrest came amid a meltdown in relations between his family and the ruling family of current President Ferdinand Marcos. The pair had previously joined forces to run the Philippines.
Mr Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte – Rodrigo's daughter – are at loggerheads, with the latter facing an impeachment trial over charges including an alleged assassination plot against Mr Marcos. Sara Duterte is in the Netherlands to support her father, after labelling his arrest “oppression and persecution”.
The Philippine war on drugs was the signature campaign platform that swept Mr Duterte to power in 2016. During his six years in office, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations, by the police's count. Activists say the real toll was far greater.
Mr Duterte has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the crackdown, repeatedly telling his supporters he was ready to “rot in jail” if it meant ridding the Philippines of illicit drugs.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Teaching in coronavirus times
The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus Press
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
More coverage from the Future Forum
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
