Duterte trial could be among ICC’s fastest — prosecution

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:03][music] >> Good day. Welcome to The Manila Times, where we bring you stories that shape our world. Today is May 18th. Our top story, the crimes against humanity trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte could be one of the fastest in the history of the International Criminal Court or ICC.

[00:00:27]The ICC prosecution office says it expects to complete all pre-trial preparations in the case by September 30 this year. It proposed that the trial begin at 2 months later on November 30.

[00:00:41]This schedule would place the Duterte case among the ICC's quickest transitions from charge confirmation to trial. The exception is the case of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, a member of an extremist group linked to Al-Qaeda. The case moved quickly because Al Mahdi entered a guilty plea.

[00:01:02]Duterte, however, has not indicated any intention to plead guilty.

[00:01:11]The Senate has received the Ombudsman's request for the video footage of the May 13 shooting incidents at the chamber. It also received the order suspending Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mabelle Ablan This was disclosed by Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano. Two Ombudsman personnel went to the Senate to serve the suspension order and seek a copy of the CCTV footage. Ablan had admitted that he was the one who first fired the warning shot. He did this, he said, after seeing an NBI agent outside a bridge connecting the Senate and the GSIS buildings.

[00:01:52]The Health Department or DOH says it is ready and on alert for the possible entry of the Ebola virus in the country.

[00:02:00]It issued a statement after the World Health Organization or WHO declared an international health emergency. This is in connection with the outbreak of an Ebola strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease has so far killed more than 80 people in that African nation. The DOH says they are in active coordination with the WHO.

[00:02:28]Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is the NBA's most valuable player for the second straight year.

[00:02:36]He's the 18th player to win at least two MVP awards. He's also the 14th to win them in back-to-back fashion.

[00:02:44]Gilgeous-Alexander, who is Canadian, marks the eighth consecutive time that the NBA's MVP was born outside of the US.

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[00:03:06]Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn. And be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Mastodon. That's all for now on The Manila Times newscast. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day. And remember to stay safe, stay informed, and stay connected. News Prime will be tonight at 6:00. I'm Allen Vimos. Good day.

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