The International Criminal Court has rejected a request by victims' legal representatives to use Tagalog in parts of their opening statement in the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

According to court rulings, official proceedings before the tribunal must strictly adhere to the working languages of the ICC, which are English and French.

Legal counsel for the victims had sought permission to deliver portions of their statement in Tagalog to directly express the personal accounts and sentiments of the families affected. Despite the denial of the request, the court assured that official language translation and interpretation services will remain fully operational throughout the trial proceedings.