Context Dispatch

Former President Rodrigo Duterte, through his defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to transfer his custody to a third country that is a signatory to the Rome Statute and willing to host him. Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his bloody war on drugs. According to various media reports, the petition, filed with the ICC, named the country, but it was redacted to avoid premature publicity. Kaufman argued Duterte is not a flight risk and that the host country would ensure compliance with ICC rules. The prosecution has yet to respond to the request.

Alas Pilipinas, the Philippines’ national women’s volleyball team, took its frustration on New Zealand, dismissing the Volley Fens in three straight sets as competitions resumed Wednesday at the 2025 AVC women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The House of Representatives deferred acceptance of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, returned by the Senate, pending further clarification. In a resolution passed Wednesday night, the House affirmed that Duterte’s February 5 impeachment adhered to the 1987 Constitution and that the actions take as regards the initial three complaints followed due process. A separate motion stated that formal acceptance of the articles would be determined only after the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, addresses the House’s clarification on procedural matters and jurisdiction, adding complexity to the unfolding political drama.

In a pivotal move, the Senate—sitting as an impeachment court—voted 18-5 on Tuesday night to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives. 

To safeguard the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the government has signed a new Joint Administrative Order (JAO) to ensure the timely and secure delivery of Balikbayan boxes sent home by millions of Filipinos abroad.