FEBRUARY 26, 2026 — Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has once again stepped into the spotlight, this time confirming that he is applying to become an accredited lawyer at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The timing couldn’t be more dramatic — Panelo made the revelation while in The Hague, where the ICC is tackling the confirmation of charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte over his bloody war on drugs.

Panelo admitted he doesn’t know how long the process will take, saying, “May process ‘yan so hindi namin alam how long it will take.” 

(There’s a process, so we don’t know how long it will take.) 

His son, Paolo, reportedly filed the application on his behalf.

But why?

Only ICC-accredited lawyers can officially participate in proceedings. Panelo, along with five other Filipino lawyers, joined Duterte’s camp in The Hague, but none of them can directly represent the former president until the ICC approves their applications. For now, Duterte’s defense rests with his lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.

The ICC’s criteria are strict: at least ten years of criminal law experience, fluency in English or French, and a spotless professional record. A three-member panel will decide within a month, with rejected applicants given the right to appeal.

Now let’s be real — Panelo’s move is more than just paperwork or prestige. This is political theater. He has long insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Duterte, yet here he is, seeking accreditation from the very institution he dismisses. Isn’t that a contradiction worth dissecting?

Critics aren’t holding back. International lawyer Ruben Carranza bluntly said Panelo is “ignorant” of the details of Duterte’s ICC case, pointing out that jurisdiction arguments are being handled in another chamber and cannot be raised during the confirmation hearings. Meanwhile, Duterte’s Filipino lawyers have branded the proceedings “political” and accused the prosecution of theatrics.

So what does this mean for us watching from home? On one hand, it’s a reminder that Duterte’s legacy continues to haunt our national discourse. On the other, it raises uncomfortable questions: Is Panelo’s bid a genuine attempt to defend his former boss, or is it a symbolic gesture meant to project defiance against international scrutiny?

(Image: Salvador "Sal Panalo” Panelo | Facebook)