Manila, Feb. 20 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted former president Rodrigo Duterte's request to skip his confirmation hearing on Feb. 23.

In a court document issued Friday, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said the hearing on Feb. 23 to 27 will proceed as scheduled in Duterte's absence.

The ICC said the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC in 1998, allows the confirmation hearing to push through even if the suspect waives the right to be present.

"The Chamber assessed that the information included in the request, signed by Mr. Duterte, is sufficient to fulfil the requirements provided for in such provisions," ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said Friday.

"In particular, the Chamber noted that Mr. Duterte sta...