Duterte’s counsel Kaufman 'taking advice from Filipino lawyers'

THE HAGUE – British lawyer Nicholas Kaufman is consulting with Filipino lawyers for the case against his client, former President Rodrigo Duterte, before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“I’m already taking advice from Filipino lawyers. I have to, in a case like this,” Kaufman told GMA Integrated News in an ambush interview before he entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution for his second scheduled visit to Duterte on Wednesday afternoon.

“There’s an essential element of any case at the International Criminal Court that there’s a need for foreign lawyers. So, there would definitely be the involvement of Filipino lawyers. I need them,” he added.

“I’m not commenting on the name of the counsel in any way whatsoever and that doesn’t mean that I’m approving or disapproving of any nomination or any name," Kaufman.

Kaufman told the media he was looking to form the former president's defense team.

“That is what I’m proposing to do now when I meet the former president,” Kaufman said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the ICC released a notice, confirming Kaufman as Duterte’s “lead defense Counsel in the ICC proceedings”.

Duterte was arrested and brought to The Hague last week to face charges in connection with the alleged killings in his administration's war on drugs.

He faced the ICC pre-trial chamber via video link on Friday.

The next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for Sept. 23, 2025. –NB, GMA Integrated News