Salvador Medialdea – Meet Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC Counsel

Who is Salvador Medialdea? Here are some details about him.

SALVADOR MEDIALDEA – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has handpicked the former Executive Secretary and here are some details about him.



On March 11, Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and on March 14, he appeared before Pre-Trial Chamber I (“the Chamber”) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes committed against humanity. He was allowed to appear remotely and was represented by Salvador C. Medialdea, one of his ICC legal counsels.

Salvador Medialdea

According to Medialdea, Duterte faced “debilitating medical issues” the reason why he could not contribute to the hearing. However, presiding judge Iulia Motoc cited that the court doctor who examined the ex-president stated he was “fully mentally aware and fit”.

About Medialdea

He got his Bachelor of Science in Management degree from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1972 and his Bachelor of Laws from San Beda College in 1976. He’s been a member of the Philippine Bar since 1977, with his career starting at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRA) Law Offices.

In 1983, he joined the Ponce Enrile Cayetano Bautista Picazo & Reyes (PECABAR) Law Offices and was a partner until 1990.

Salvador Medialdea

In 1998, he did government service. He was appointed Administrator of the Livelihood Corporation (LIVECOR) and worked there until 1999. In 2000, he was appointed Presidential Assistant for Political Affairs.

Medialdea was the President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Rizal Chapter) from 1985 to 1987 and Director from 1983 to 1985. He also served as the Secretary General of the Asean Law Association Golfers’ Club and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the San Beda Law Alumni Association and of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

He became a Bar Examiner in Labor and Social Legislation given by the Supreme Court in September 2006, and in 2016, he came back to government service as the Executive Secretary of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte until his term ended in 2022.