Court? I Have Plans! — Duterte Skips ICC War Crimes Hearing

The International Criminal Court granted former president Rodrigo Duterte's request to skip his confirmation hearing scheduled for February 23-27. Yes, you read that right — a war crimes trial, and the accused just… declined to attend. The hearing will proceed in his absence, because apparently, showing up is optional when you're facing charges of murder and crimes against humanity.

RSVP: No Thanks

There's something deliciously absurd about treating an international war crimes tribunal like a wedding invitation you can politely decline. 'Thanks for thinking of me, but I'll have to pass on this one. Previous engagement. You understand.'

The charges stem from thousands of killings during Duterte's so-called 'war on drugs' — a brutal campaign that left mostly poor and marginalized Filipinos dead in the streets. Amnesty International documented extrajudicial executions that 'reach the threshold of crimes against humanity.' But sure, skip the hearing. What could go wrong?

Accountability is like a dental appointment — you can reschedule all you want, but the cavity doesn't disappear.

The ICC will proceed without him. The Rome Statute allows confirmation hearings to continue even if the suspect decides to ghost the proceedings. Because justice, unlike some people, actually shows up to work.