MCT DAILY BRIEF: OCTOBER 31, 2026 · MORNING

ICC REGISTRY ASSESSES VICTIM APPLICATIONS AS DUTERTE FILES A HEARING WAIVER

The International Criminal Court’s Registry reported on October 29 that it had assessed 50 applications to participate in Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes-against-humanity trial. It classified 46 as clearly qualifying and sought judges’ guidance on four. The four raise questions about whether the reported harm falls within the case and who qualifies as an indirect victim. This is an assessment for the judges, not an order admitting 50 people. The court accepts individual and household forms, so the number of applications is not necessarily the number of applicants.

The judges’ eventual decisions will determine whether and how these applicants’ views and concerns can be presented in this case. Participation does not establish the accused’s guilt. The judges still control admission and the form that participation takes.

A separate October 30 defense filing places Duterte’s signed waiver of attendance at the November 2 status conference on the court record. His lawyers say the chamber granted the request on October 29. The waiver concerns that conference, where lawyers address procedural arrangements. It is not a blanket waiver covering the trial.

The trial is scheduled to open on November 30. The applications and attendance filing concern preparations for those proceedings, not a verdict on the charges.

MARINA SUSPENDS A FERRY’S SAFETY CERTIFICATE AFTER THE REAL INCIDENT

The Maritime Industry Authority, or MARINA, suspended the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate of MV Virgen de Peñafrancia II after an October 30 incident at the Port of Real in Quezon. Its regional office barred the vessel from operating pending a safety inspection and technical evaluation.

MARINA reported three injured passengers, all in stable condition, and no deaths. Its initial account described a snapped mooring line, a severe tilt and partial submersion. The authority stressed that the cause had not been conclusively established.

Investigators will examine the vessel’s condition, mooring arrangements, stability, cargo securing and compliance with safety requirements. These checks will determine whether further administrative action is warranted. The suspension itself does not settle who was responsible.

For passengers travelling during Undas, the immediate consequence is that this vessel cannot operate until the restriction is lifted. Its return to service depends on the safety evaluation, not simply the passage of time after the incident.

ELECTED BANGSAMORO PARLIAMENT CHOOSES ITS CHIEF MINISTER

Abdulraof Macacua was elected chief minister by the Bangsamoro’s first elected Parliament on October 30 in Cotabato City. The Parliament’s official report records 51 votes for Macacua, 27 for Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and one abstention. Seventy-nine of the chamber’s 80 members attended.

This was a vote by lawmakers, not a separate direct election of the chief minister by the public. The elected Parliament has taken over from the appointed transitional body. Its members now carry responsibility for regional legislation, annual budgets and oversight of government programs.

That gives residents a specific set of officials to hold accountable for spending and services. The leadership vote establishes who governs; it does not, by itself, demonstrate better service delivery.