Duterte, 79, appeared at the hearing via videolink, with Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc citing his prior “long journey."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has junked former President Rodrigo Duterte’s plea to reschedule his first court appearance. Duterte’s legal counsel and former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea made this known in his manifestation during the pretrial on Friday night (Philippine time).

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte failed to attend in person at the International Criminal Court on Friday at the opening of the crimes against humanity hearing over his deadly crackdown on narcotics.