Articles by Franco Jose C. Baroña

Health

Prosecution backs removal of ICC expert on Duterte health over offensive social media posts

MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court's Office of the Prosecutor supported revoking the appointment of a neuropsychologist tasked with assessing former president Rodrigo Duterte, after the defense flagged “profoundly offensive” social media posts.In a five-page redacted filing, Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said the expert’s appointment “should be revoked” if the posts were verified by the court. The filing did not disclose the expert’s identity or the exact nature of the remarks.The submission responded to Duterte’s defense team’s Oct. 20 request to disqualify the expert and adjourn proceedings. While backing removal, the Prosecution opposed any suspension, calling the adjournment bid “unsupported by any reasoned justification.”The filing also urged the ICC Registry to tighten vetting of medical and psychological experts and proposed a replacement neuropsychologist reportedly acceptable to both parties, pending review.The dispute arises amid the Pre-Trial Chamber’s evaluation of Duterte’s fitness to participate in proceedings investigating alleged crimes against humanity during his anti-drug campaign.