Malacañang has extended well-wishes to Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, the lead counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, as he defends his client at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro acknowledged the challenges Kaufman may face, especially in light of Duterte’s past statements about drug war killings.
“We understand his opinion on this, especially that he is representing the suspect, former President Duterte, who admitted his acts of killings,” Castro said. “So, it is really … he will definitely face some difficulties in defending his client, if regarding the admissions made by his client.”
Still, Castro underscored the principle of due process: “We wish him all the luck because, still, we have to presume that the suspect is still innocent until proven guilty.”
She noted that any lawyer would naturally aim to win their case. “Every lawyer desires and aspires to win all his cases for his clients,” she said, adding, “Expected naman po natin na malamang ito ang magiging depensa po ni Atty. Kaufman.”
Addressing Kaufman’s earlier remark that the case might be influenced by political motivations, Castro responded, “Siguro mas maganda rin po talaga, kasi sinabi niya po na political manipulation of arguments, so it is also better for him to know who manipulates who.”
She also raised concern over reports that families of extrajudicial killing victims were being harassed. “He should also be aware of the plight of EJK families of the EJK victims who are now allegedly being harassed by some of the Duterte supporters according to Atty. Conti,” Castro added.
In a new development, the ICC Registry confirmed that Atty. Dov Jacobs has joined Duterte’s legal team as associate counsel. His appointment was made official in a document signed by ICC’s Judicial Services Director Marc Dubuisson on April 7.
The team is led by Kaufman, who requested Jacobs’ inclusion on April 2.
Duterte was arrested and surrendered to the ICC on March 11. He is currently detained in The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity over the controversial war on drugs carried out during his presidency.
