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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte camp reviewing an 'immense amount of evidence' for ICC trial on Sept. 23

Duterte camp reviewing an 'immense amount of evidence' for ICC trial on Sept. 23

Published Jul 14, 2025 10:41 am
The camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte is reviewing the “immense amount of evidence” on his crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in preparation for the confirmation hearing in September, his lead counsel said.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte and his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman (Screengrab from ICC, ABS-CBN News videos)
Former president Rodrigo Duterte and his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman (Screengrab from ICC, ABS-CBN News videos)
In an interview with GMA Integrated News on Saturday, July 12, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman assured that the legal team is “devoted” to reviewing the evidence disclosed by the prosecution.

“So, it's an immense amount of evidence. We have a team of about nine people, all of whom are devoted to reviewing that evidence,” he said.

“We're all skilled in data management. We all know how to use the IT systems of the ICC, and we're slowly but surely reviewing all of that evidence, working towards the September confirmation hearing,” he added.

According to an ICC document published on its official website, the Office of the Prosecutor submitted the 11th and 12th batches of evidence, containing some 2,315 documents.

Release from detention

Kaufman acknowledged and welcomed “any initiative” to bring Duterte back home to the Philippines.

“I think that any initiative by any Filipino to bring the former president back home, whether it be in the Philippines Embassy, I'm not sure whether that would be possible given the current administration, or whether it be just back home,” he said in response to a question about Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s resolution to have the former president in house arrest in the Philippines.

Kaufman and his legal team have already requested the ICC to grant the former president an interim release to an undisclosed location, and also challenged the jurisdiction of the ICC on Duterte’s case.

The Court has yet to adjudicate on both petitions.

Duterte’s lead counsel further argued that much like other Filipinos, it is also within the former president’s rights “to be tried in front of the Filipino court, in front of the Filipino judge, and to be prosecuted by a Filipino accuser/prosecutor.”

He also commended the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations report on the arrest of the former president in March, describing it as a “very comprehensive report.”

“It followed on a number of hearings in the Senate, and I believe that it helps our case, especially with respect to the request for interim release, when the prosecution seems to be arguing that the defense claims that the rendition, as I would call it, to The Hague is unlawful,” he explained.

Lawyer’s fees

Meanwhile, Kaufman dismissed allegations about his lawyer’s fees.

“I think it's a concern of anybody, how anyone gets paid, and how anyone is financing me, or if they are financing me, or whether I'm doing it pro bono, it's just completely not relevant,” he said.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier remarked that Kaufman “should do better” than relying on the Senate panel report as a reference point for their defense.

The committee report was led by presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos, who allied herself with the Dutertes.

“Everybody is entitled to a defense. Everybody is entitled to the defense, which he believes is the best defense that he can receive,” Kaufman stressed.

Related Tags

International Criminal Court Rodrigo Duterte Nicholas Kaufman house arrest
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