Rodrigo Duterte appears at ICC hearing as other Philippine political cases advance

Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines’ former president, showed up in person for the third status conference hearing of his case before the International Criminal Court. In a separate matter, three retired justices consulted by the impeachment tribunal indicated that the 16-vote threshold for a conviction of Sara Duterte is not set in stone. Former House speaker Martin Romualdez pleaded not guilty in his plunder case, prompting the case to proceed to trial.

The newly elected Bangsamoro parliament decided that no single party will dominate its first session. Additionally, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling compelling Congress to pass legislation aimed at curbing political dynasties.