The International Criminal Court (ICC) Chamber III has postponed making a decision on the schedule of former president Rodrigo Duterte's trial until he is reexamined by medical experts.

During the second session of the first status conference on Duterte's case on Wednesday, May 27, presiding judge Joanna Korner stressed that "it's a bit difficult" to set a schedule for the trial until there is no up-to-date report on Duterte's health.

"So, therefore, it's a bit difficult to set a schedule for trial until we've had an up-to-date report," Korner said.

The presiding judge added that "it seems to be that because of his age, potentially medical problems, there will have to be a day off" in the middle of the week during the trial stage.

 "I'm reluctant at this stage, without further report and without an assessment made by the experts, to set a schedule," Korner stated.

According to Korner, the Chamber "is obliged to make a separate finding" on the issue of Duterte's health, following a motion filed by Duterte's new lead counsel, Peter Haynes, seeking a new medical examine of Duterte.

Korner said she hoped the experts could carry out the assessment "with some speed," and proposed to make either today or tomorrow.

During the first session also on the same day, the prosecution  proposed to start the trial on November 30. The registry asked for January, citing concerns on interpretation. The defense, however, refused to proposed any date until Duterte's fitness and other preliminary matters are settled.

Before the second session adjourned, Korner disclosed her professional history with lawyers from both the prosecution and defense, saying it was "for the purposes of transparency, knowing that there is public interest in this case."

"It is probably well-known that the world and the pool of international criminal lawyers and judges is a limited one and it is therefore probable that judges and counsel will have met before this case or during other cases or possibly at conference or even social events," Korner said.

The presiding judge bared that she and prosecutor Julian Nicholls worked together over 20 years ago as counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

She also disclosed that she has known Haynes, "though not in a professional way in the same way as Mr. Nicholls for almost as long," and has known associate counsel Kate Gibson "for less time."

Korner stressed "with certainty" that "there will be no discussion, whatsoever, of this case between parties and the judges at any such functions."

"It has no impact on the way that this case will be conducted or any rulings that may be made by this chamber in respective submissions made by both sides," Korner further said.

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC over crimes against humanity in relation to the alleged crimes committed during his anti-illegal drugs campaign or the so-called "drug war."

The ICC has confirmed all charges against Duterte, paving the way for a full trial.