Malacañang on Friday made clear it has no plans to engage in discussions about the interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte, dismissing the idea of hosting his lawyer for such talks in Manila.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro addressed remarks by British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, who earlier said he would be prepared to travel to the Philippines to discuss his client’s possible interim freedom if invited.
“First of all, I am not inviting him,” Castro said during a press briefing on Feb. 27.
She stressed that while foreign visitors are welcome in the country, any trip should center on leisure rather than legal negotiations.
“If ever, everybody is welcome to see the beauty of our country. Welcome lahat ng tourists, lahat ng turista, pati pamilya kasama iyan (All tourists are welcome, including their families),” she said.
Castro added in jest that she would gladly introduce Kaufman to Filipino street food and local fare.
“And if he will be coming to the Philippines, I am more than happy to treat him, buy him balut, bagoong, kwek-kwek, IUD, adidas,” she said.
Despite the light tone, the Palace official reiterated that discussions concerning Duterte’s temporary release would not be entertained.
“But I will not discuss about the interim release, because it has already been dissolved by the ICC,” she said.
“So, pag-uusapan lang namin ang ganda ng Palawan, El Nido, Manila Zoo, lahat po iyan, iyon lang po (We will only talk about the beauty of Palawan, El Nido, the Manila Zoo—those things only),” she added.
Duterte was taken into custody in March 2025 and is currently being held at the International Criminal Court’s detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands, where he is facing crimes against humanity charges linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.Palace tells Duterte’s lawyer: Visit for sightseeing, not negotiations
