Palace hits Duterte lawyer Kaufman for ‘twisting facts’ on ICC case
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang accused former president Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, of twisting facts regarding the Marcos administration’s supposed stance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Duterte’s possible interim release.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement after Kaufman claimed in a filing that the Philippine government “contemplated without objection” Duterte’s possible interim release while he faces charges before the ICC over his controversial war on drugs.
"Atty. Kaufman appears to have mastered the art of twisting some facts," Castro said in a statement on Saturday, September 27.
"He (Kaufman) had done this before when he asserted that the ICC prosecutor had no objection with former President Duterte’s request for an interim release. However, after the ICC prosecutor filed an opposition, it was revealed to be his false allegations,” she added.
She emphasized that the Marcos administration “is not privy and has no hand” in Duterte’s ongoing trial before the ICC, especially his plea for interim release.
"We want to be clear that the Marcos Jr. administration is not privy and has no hand to the former President Duterte's ongoing trial before ICC, particularly his request for interim release," Castro said.
"However, as part of the legal process, no matter what the ICC decides, we will still respect it,” she added.
Defense claim
The Palace issued the clarification after Kaufman, in a public redacted filing dated September 26, informed the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I that Duterte’s defense team agreed to the chamber’s considerations “in full understanding that it will apply to any conditions for interim release.”
In the same filing, Kaufman said the move was made “in full understanding” that interim release is now “contemplated without objection" by the Philippine government.
"This agreement is proffered by Counsel (who was formerly instructed by Mr. Duterte to do all possible to ensure his interim release) in the full understanding that it will apply to any conditions for interim release – a possibility now contemplated without objection by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines which surrendered Mr. Duterte to the International Criminal Court,” the defense team's notice to the court read.
The defense lawyer also cited Castro’s earlier Palace briefing, where she said that the Marcos administration would respect whatever ruling the ICC makes on Duterte’s request.
“Nagbunga naman po yata ang madalas niyang pagbibiyahe. So, kung iyan ay good news po sa kanila at kung ano po ang magiging desisyon ng ICC, tatanggapin naman po iyan ng pamahalaang Marcos Jr.,” Castro said, referring to Vice President Sara Duterte’s frequent travels abroad. (Her constant travels have born fruit. So, if this is good news for them and whatever the decision of the International Criminal Court, the government of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. will accept it.)
Castro’s remark appeared to refer to the Marcos administration’s general policy of respecting international legal processes. She did not explicitly say that it was a formal endorsement of Duterte’s bid for temporary release.
ICC charges
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity of murder, with ICC prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 killings linked to his bloody war on drugs during his tenure as Davao City mayor and Philippine president.
The 80-year-old former leader has been detained at the ICC detention center in The Hague since March 13.
In June, his legal team sought interim release, citing his age and deteriorating health.
According to Kaufman, Duterte poses no flight risk and detention was unnecessary “to ensure the integrity of investigations or to preclude the continued commission of crimes.”
His confirmation of charges hearing, originally set for September 23, has been postponed indefinitely after his defense claimed he was “not fit to stand trial” due to impaired memory and cognitive decline.
- Latest
- Trending
