Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

The legal counsel for former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has formally responded to concerns raised by international prosecutors regarding a case information.In a legal filing released Thursday, March 26, from The Hague, lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman issued a series of “guarantees” to the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning specific individuals mentioned in a previous confidential request by the prosecution.The defense maintained that these individuals have no access to the inner workings of the case.Kaufman clarified that the persons in question “have not, and will not, receive any disclosure in this case,” and further emphasized that they are strictly barred from accessing “any non-public filings” or “other non-public information.”The defense team noted that these individuals are not authorized to have “legally privileged meetings or other communications with Mr. Duterte” while he is held at the Detention Center.Kaufman described the prosecution’s request as having an “unnecessary nature.”He suggested the filing carried an “implied suggestion (or rather insinuation)” that the defense might be violating professional codes of conduct, a notion he firmly rejected.Kaufman also said something about the prosecution, noting their “unabated passion for scrutinizing the media coverage of this case.”Kaufman advised the prosecution “not to believe everything he reads in the papers,” adding caution that such reports should only be trusted if they relate to “Mr. Duterte’s innocence.”The defense stated it would not take offense at the prosecution’s filing, citing a sense of “benevolence” as the proceedings continue in the Pre-Trial Chamber.Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025  on his arrival from Hong Kong at the request of the ICC as part of its probe into his &quot;war on drugs&quot; that defined his presidency.The ICC warrant for Duterte&#x27;s arrest said that as president, Duterte allegedly created, funded, and armed death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers.He was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day he was arrested.Duterte on March 14, 2025 appeared via video link before ICC judges. Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, which was supposed to be held last September 23, was postponed to a later date, citing a request from Duterte&#x27;s defense team.The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has rejected the request of Duterte&#x27;s defense team for his interim release.

The legal counsel for former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has formally responded to concerns raised by international prosecutors regarding a case information.

The legal counsel for former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has formally responded to concerns raised by international prosecutors regarding a case information.

Duterte’s defense team dismisses prosecution concerns over confidential information

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Duterte’s defense team dismisses prosecution concerns over confidential information

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2026 01:33 AM PHT

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Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

Nicholas Kaufman

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