Senator Imee Marcos confirmed Thursday that she had personally met with Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, the lawyer representing former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC), in a show of support amid ongoing proceedings.
In a Facebook post, Marcos emphasized that her efforts go beyond loyalty to a single person, stressing that she is motivated by a broader sense of justice. “Narito ako hindi para sa isang tao, kundi para sa sambayanang Pilipino,” she wrote. “Thank you Atty. Nicholas Kaufman. Together, we will bring PRRD home.”
Marcos also expressed solidarity with Vice President Sara Duterte, saying she deeply understands the pain of being separated from one’s homeland. “Higit kanino man, alam ko ang pakiramdam ng mawalay sa sariling bayan,” she said, referencing her family’s exile following the ouster of her father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
“Hindi ako naghintay ng 39 years para lang magkamali muli, may Marcos na natuto sa kasaysayan,” she added, asserting that her actions are guided by hard-learned lessons from the past.
Details about the meeting between Marcos and Kaufman remain limited. However, the senator has been active in pushing for an investigation into Philippine officials allegedly linked to Duterte’s possible ICC turnover. She recently secured re-election to the Senate with backing from PDP-Laban and endorsements from the Dutertes.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, where she visited her father on May 30 and is scheduled to return on June 2 and 3. Her office said she will celebrate her birthday on May 31 by joining a peaceful gathering in front of the ICC, organized by Filipino community groups.
Rodrigo Duterte, 80, faces charges before the ICC related to 43 alleged murders under his administration’s brutal anti-drug campaign. Atty. Kaufman argues the court lacks jurisdiction, citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019.
However, Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing victims, countered this claim, stating that established legal precedents support the ICC’s continued jurisdiction. “There’s strong case law as well as a statutory basis,” he noted, adding that the testimonies of victims will highlight how Duterte’s campaign continues to harm communities.
“In fact, our position is that it’s not really a war on drugs, it’s a war against the poor,” Andres said, pointing to the long-term socio-economic impact on families left behind by the killings.
