Manila, Feb. 20 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor has requested the Pre-Trial Chamber I to reject former president Rodrigo Duterte's request to waive his right to appear in his confirmation hearing on Feb. 23.

In a court document dated Feb. 19, the prosecution argued that Duterte is fit, available, and has "no reasonable cause" not to appear in person at the hearing.

"For the avoidance of doubt; the Prosecution does not accept as valid any of the assertions made by the Defense in paragraphs 4 and 5 of its Notification regarding Mr. Duterte's health, fitness, and mental or physical capacity," it said.

"As the panel of experts concluded, unanimously, Mr. Duterte is an unreliable historian in regard to assessment of his...