Lawyer behind Duterte case in ICC runs for senator

MANILA - The lawyer who lodged a case against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court filed his certificate of candidacy through a liaison, Monday.

Jude Sabio’s liaison officer and childhood friend Rogelio Doydora files COC on his behalf: Nandito ako para ipaalam na tatakbo si Atty. Jude Sabio sa Senado. Nasa Maynila siya pero kailangan niyang magtago dahil sa banta sa kaniyang buhay. pic.twitter.com/cfreMCQFz8

— Kat Domingo (@_katrinadomingo) October 15, 2018

Jude Sabio, who accused Duterte of “crimes against humanity” over alleged extrajudicial killings in his administration’s war on drugs, cannot file his own COC because he fears for his life, his liaison officer and childhood friend Rogelio Doydora told reporters.

“Nandito siya sa Manila pero kailangan niyang magtago dahil sa mga banta sa buhay niya,” he said.

Sabio went into hiding in 2017 for fear of backlash from Duterte’s supporters.

"When I went to The Hague I received so many threats," Sabio earlier told news agency Reuters.

Sabio will continue to seek justice for EJK victims should he win a Senate seat, Doydora said.

• Despite threats, Philippine lawyer says he wants Duterte in ICC

Sabio said he knows that he earned the ire of Filipinos but said he “does not care.”

"Popularity cannot be invoked as a defense in the ICC. It is irrelevant. It doesn't matter," he said.

"I don't care if millions of Filipinos will look at me as a villain,” he said.