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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Defense urges ICC: Let Duterte be temporarily free amid 'fitness' proceedings delay

Defense urges ICC: Let Duterte be temporarily free amid 'fitness' proceedings delay

Published Sep 18, 2025 07:48 am
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)
The defense for former president Rodrigo Duterte has asked the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) pre-trial chamber for his temporary release, pointing out that administrative delays caused by questions on his health condition should not hinder his right to liberty.

In a five-page document dated Sept. 16, Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman stressed the need for the former president’s “provisional release” from ICC detention.

“Mr. Duterte should not remain in detention while proceedings on fitness – now expected to take no less than [REDACTED] at a minimum – are underway,” the document read.

“Administrative delay, occasioned by [REDACTED], cannot justify the abrogation of liberty. Provisional release should be ordered as soon as continuing detention ceases to be reasonable,” it added.

Kaufman argued that an interim release “will not, in any way, affect or hinder the proceedings on fitness or of the case more generally.”

“The receiving State identified by the Defence as willing to host Mr. Duterte will be required, as a condition for release, to facilitate [REDACTED] by the Court,” he stressed.

“Mr Duterte’s release while litigation on fitness is underway would ensure a proper balance between a suspect’s rights under the Statute while respecting the efficiency and integrity of the proceedings,” he added.

This petition came after the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I) postponed the Sept. 23 confirmation of charges against the former president, citing the defense’s petition that said Duterte was “unfit” to stand trial because of his declining cognitive health.

Kaufman claimed that the former president is having difficulties recalling events and even some members of his family.

But in an interview on Tuesday, Vice President Sara Duterte said that her father is “okay” and that they have talked about politics, flood control, and his personal life.

She also shared that they expect a “competency” hearing to be called in order to determine her father’s health condition.

Currently, the defense team has still two pending motions before the PTC I—its interim release request and the jurisdiction challenge.

The defense team is also seeking Duterte’s release to the Netherlands, vowing not to seek asylum there.

Related Tags

ICC Nicholas Kaufman interim release Rodrigo Duterte
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