THE HAGUE - Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ruled that octogenarian former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to attend pre-trial hearings and will hold a confirmation of charges hearing on February 23, the court said on Monday.

Duterte's defense had said the elderly politician, who is being held in The Hague over murders during his war on drugs, could not stand trial due to cognitive decline.

Judges said in a statement that a report by independent medical experts found that Duterte would be able to understand and participate in his case.

They recalled that for someone to be deemed fit to take part in their case it is enough that they have a broad understanding of the procedures, not that they operate at their highest level.

"The Chamber is satisfied, in law, that Mister Duterte is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings," the judges said.

They also set a new date for his confirmation of charges hearing, an important step towards a trial.

-Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Alexandra Hudson, William Maclean/Reuters