Duterte, who was not in court, "stands behind his legacy resolutely" said his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman. "He maintains his innocence absolutely."

Kaufman acknowledged that his client was "a unique phenomenon" who was "gung-ho in his ways" and was full of "hyperbole, bluster and rhetoric."

However, he accused the prosecution of "cherry-picking" through Duterte's speeches, adding that many of them insist on the importance of sticking to the law.

The former president's speeches did not have "lethal intent" but aimed to "instil fear in the hearts" of criminals, said the lawyer.

Kaufman told ICC judges that the evidence against Duterte was "wholly insufficient" and the charges were "grievously misplaced and politically motivated".

The proceedings are a "confirmation of charges" hearing after which judges will weigh whether to move forward to a full trial. That decision will take up to 60 days.