Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17574799512631757479948222.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A man holds a portrait of former president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Nicolas Tucat,  AFP "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A man holds a portrait of former president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Nicolas Tucat,  AFP </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Malacanang on Wednesday said the appeal of former President Rodrigo Duterte to be allowed to return to the Philippines on interim release was “outside of our purview.”</p><p>Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lead defense counsel in his International Criminal Court (ICC), had cited his &quot;deteriorating medical situation” in seeking his return to the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;Who is Kaufman?&quot; Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said when asked about the move.</p><p>&quot;No, meaning I am not too sure how to respond to that because that&#x27;s outside of our purview. Whatever opinions supposed lawyers have about their respective clients, we leave it to them.&quot; he told reporters at the Senate. </p><p>&quot;We should not be made to react because we do not care about their comments,&quot; the official added. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/9/defense-team-seeks-duterte-s-interim-release-in-ph-amid-deteriorating-health-1403">Defense team seeks Duterte&#x27;s interim release in PH amid &#x27;deteriorating&#x27; health</a></div><p>Duterte was scheduled to appear at the ICC on September 23 to hear the crimes against humanity charges over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups say killed thousands.</p><p>The International Criminal Court on Monday postponed the hearing &quot;until further notice&quot;, while judges weighed his fitness to take part.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/icc-postpones-duterte-s-confirmation-of-charges-hearing-1938">&#x27;Not fit to stand trial?&#x27; ICC postpones Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing</a></div><p>The defense team moved for the postponement of the hearing because Duterte’s medical situation “has affected his ability to assimilate the evidence and to give his lawyers proper instructions,&quot; Kaufman said.</p><p>Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, flown to the Netherlands that same night and has been held at the ICC&#x27;s detention unit at Scheveningen Prison since.</p><p>At his initial hearing, he followed by videolink, appearing dazed and frail, barely speaking.</p><p>The 80-year-old  is the first Asian former head of state charged by the ICC.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/ex-drug-war-cop-garma-in-malaysia-to-meet-with-icc-officials-remulla-1412">Ex-drug war cop Garma meets ICC officials in Malaysia, agrees to testify against Duterte: DOJ</a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ik1OTshzlIM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Malacanang on Wednesday said the appeal of former President Rodrigo Duterte to be allowed to return to the Philippines on interim release was “outside of our purview.”</p>

Malacanang on Wednesday said the appeal of former President Rodrigo Duterte to be allowed to return to the Philippines on interim release was “outside of our purview.”

Palace says Duterte bid for interim release in PH is ‘outside our purview’

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Palace says Duterte bid for interim release in PH is ‘outside our purview’

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News,

Agence France-Presse

Published Sep 10, 2025 12:56 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 10, 2025 07:46 PM PHT

Read More:

CC

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte

war on drugs

drug war

crimes against humanity

Bersamin

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