ICC bars use of Tagalog for opening statements
MANILA, Philippines — Trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have prohibited lawyers representing drug war victims from using Tagalog in their opening statement during the upcoming trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity.
During Monday’s status conference, Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joanna Korner denied the request of the common legal representatives of the victims to partly use Tagalog in their opening statements.
“The Rome Statute is quite clear. The working languages of the court are English and French,” Korner said. “There has to be a really exceptional reason why a language that is not one of the court languages should be used.”
Paolina Massidda, principal counsel at ICC’s Office of Public Counsel for Victims, said they wanted to use Tagalog in their opening statement to relay the specific remarks made by some of the victims in the case.
“A lot of victims will be connecting to the hearing. For them, it would be important to listen how we convey to the chamber what they narrated to us, their experiences,” Massidda said.
“They will connect much more if that is done in Tagalog. It’s a very limited request for this purpose,” she added.
While they understand the purpose of the request, Korner said the court is inclined to follow the rule on the official languages for the conduct of the hearing.
“There are going to be interpreters,” the judge said. “While we understand that you want the victims to relate to what’s being said, all of it, everything you say… will be translated in any event.”
The ruling is so far limited to the use of Tagalog for the opening statements. It remains unclear if there would be witnesses who would testify in Philippine languages.
The ICC earlier released a job posting for Tagalog and Cebuano translators, who would serve as paraprofessional interpreters and associate court interpreters.
abtestabtest Sara, Leni gap narrows – OCTA By Janvic Mateo | 17 hours ago The gap between Vice President Sara Duterte and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo in a hypothetical presidential matchup in 2028... Headlines Sotto seeks stricter Senate rules on prolonged absences By Alyana Uy | 1 day ago Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente "Tito" Sotto has filed a resolution seeking clearer rules on the prolonged... Headlines Rules on absent senators sought By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 17 hours ago Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III has filed a resolution seeking definitive rules to address the absences of... Headlines OSG to SC: Junk Padilla, Go petition By Ghio Ong | 17 hours ago The Senate impeachment court called on the Supreme Court to throw out the petition from two senators who challenged an earlier ruling to lower the voting threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. ... Headlines PNP finds child abuse material on devices tied to Thomas Markle 9 hours ago Police stressed that finding the material alone does not establish who placed it on the devices or who may be legally re... Headlines Latest More in Headlines The new chief justice: Who is Rodil Zalameda? LIST: VP Sara’s witnesses for Nov. 9–13 hearings Fact check: Viral post falsely tags e-trikes at Marcos’ plant visit as gov't vehicles Malampaya Phase 4 achieves first gas delivery abtest Navy probes alleged reservist over posts on San Andres youth riot 2 hours ago The Philippine Navy will look into online posts made by one of its alleged "reservists" on the recent street brawls... Headlines Marcos appoints Zalameda as chief justice By Ian Laqui | 3 hours ago Zalameda, 63, will replace Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who will reach compulsory retirement on November 6. Headlines Fuel, transport costs push inflation to 7.8% in October 2026 By Alyana Uy | 5 hours ago The PSA reported that headline inflation accelerated to 7.8% in October, marking the highest figure since February 2023, when... Headlines Ex-law dean withdraws as defense witness in Sara Duterte impeachment trial By Ian Laqui | 6 hours ago A former law school dean who was invited by the team of Vice President Sara Duterte has declined to testify for the defe... Headlines Filipino teens among least physically active globally — WHO study 7 hours ago Around 40% of Filipino adolescents reported no day with at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a... Headlines Recommended OSG to SC: Junk Padilla, Go petition November 5, 2026 - 12:00am The Senate impeachment court called on the Supreme Court to throw out the petition from two senators who challenged an earlier ruling to lower the voting threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. ...r HeadlinesBONG GOOSGPADILLA Rules on absent senators sought 17 hours ago Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III has filed a resolution seeking definitive rules to address the absences of... HeadlinesICCSENATE Sara, Leni gap narrows – OCTA 17 hours ago The gap between Vice President Sara Duterte and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo in a hypothetical presidential matchup in 2028... HeadlinesLENI ROBREDO Chris Pappas to become first openly gay male US senator 1 day ago Democratic Representative Chris Pappas won election on Tuesday to the US Senate and will become the first openly gay man to... HeadlinesDONALD TRUMP Sotto seeks stricter Senate rules on prolonged absences 1 day ago Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente "Tito" Sotto has filed a resolution seeking clearer rules on the prolonged... HeadlinesSENATETITO SOTTO next Recommended OSG to SC: Junk Padilla, Go petition The Senate impeachment court called on the Supreme Court to throw out the petition from two senators who challenged an earlier ruling to lower the voting threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. 17 hours ago BONG GO OSG PADILLA Rules on absent senators sought Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III has filed a resolution seeking definitive rules to address the absences of senators like Ronald dela Rosa, who has gone into hiding since the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest for crimes against humanity. 17 hours ago ICC SENATE Sara, Leni gap narrows – OCTA The gap between Vice President Sara Duterte and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo in a hypothetical presidential matchup in 2028 has narrowed to its closest in the latest OCTA Research group poll. 17 hours ago LENI ROBREDO Chris Pappas to become first openly gay male US senator Democratic Representative Chris Pappas won election on Tuesday to the US Senate and will become the first openly gay man to serve in the upper chamber of Congress. 1 day ago DONALD TRUMP Sotto seeks stricter Senate rules on prolonged absences Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente "Tito" Sotto has filed a resolution seeking clearer rules on the prolonged and unauthorized absences of senators, citing complaints filed before the Committee on Ethics. 1 day ago SENATE TITO SOTTO OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
