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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte wants Roque to 'stop interfering' in his ICC case—lead counsel

Duterte wants Roque to 'stop interfering' in his ICC case—lead counsel

Published Jul 31, 2025 09:23 am
Former president Rodrigo Duterte himself wants former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to “stop interfering” in his crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court (ICC), fearing that the former human rights lawyer may be jeopardizing his defense.

Lawyers Nicholas Kaufman and Harry Roque (Photos from Alvin & Tourism, PPAB)
Lawyers Nicholas Kaufman and Harry Roque (Photos from Alvin & Tourism, PPAB)
This was revealed by Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman during an interview with pro-Duterte blogger Alvin and Tourism. A transcript of the interview was made available to the media on July 30.

“As it is, neither the former President, nor anyone else in his immediate vicinity, is interested in Harry Roque as a lawyer,” he said.

“The former President has made it known that Roque should stop interfering in his case and return to the Philippines to sort out his own troubling legal issues,” he added, referring to a standing warrant of arrest issued against Roque for qualified human trafficking charges.

Kaufman called out Roque for pursuing his own legal action—a plan to sue the Dutch government for facilitating the extradition of the former president to The Hague—and possibly jeopardizing Duterte’s release from detention.

“In my opinion, this was a crazy scheme because the release of the former president would require the cooperation of the Dutch Government – something unlikely to be forthcoming if they are being sued by the person concerned,” Kaufman said.

“But Harry Roque is persistent to the point of obssessive and with this plan, he could very well have jeopardized the Defence’s efforts to release the former President,” he added.

The lawyer claimed that “from day one,” the former presidential spokesman “has portrayed himself as the only person capable of defending the former president, motivating the public against me and my team.”

He instead advised Roque to spend his energy on defending his appeal against the reported denial of his refugee status in The Netherlands.

The Palace official is seeking political asylum in The Netherlands after leaving the country in November amid a congressional inquiry into his involvement in the illegal activities of the now-banned Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 Corp. in Porac, Pampanga.

He resurfaced in The Hague when Duterte was brought there.

Roque, in a separate statement on Wednesday, July 30, expressed his continuous support to the legal defense team and denied that he tried to interfere in its legal strategy.

He pointed out that Vice President Sara Duterte herself acknowledged the legal remedy he suggested.

“As a loyal foot soldier of the Dutertes, I have no wish but to bring the former president back to the Philippines alive. And like many Duterte diehard supporters, I feel a sense of frustration on the pre-trial detention of our beloved President,” he said.

“I thus offered an additional legal remedy, outside of the ICC, subject to the approval of the former president and his family,” he added.

He characterized Kaufman’s remarks as “ad hominem attacks” and “character assassination” that he said “have no place in the legal profession and in any decent society.”

“I thus call on Atty. Nicholas Kaufman to put an end to this blame game and simply channel his time and energy to bring the former president home alive to make the Filipinos the happiest persons on earth,” Roque stressed.

Related Tags

ICC Nicholas Kaufman Rodrigo Duterte Harry Roque The Hague
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