Duterte lawyer asks Marcos admin to allow ex-president to return to PH

The camp of former President Rodrigo Duterte has requested that the Marcos administration allow his return to the Philippines if their request for interim release is granted, citing his “age and conditions of detention” at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s “progressively deteriorating medical situation” has affected his ability to assimilate the evidence and to give instructions. 

“The defense sincerely hopes that the current administration, which [saw] fit to outsource its obligation to afford the former president a fair trial in the country of his birth, will now let him return home, with dignity, for the purpose of interim release until the end of all legal proceedings,” Kaufman said in a message to GMA Integrated News.

GMA News Online has reached out to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for his comment and will provide updates on the story once he responds.

Duterte, 80, has been in ICC custody since March. In August, he reiterated his request to the ICC for an interim release to an undisclosed country "subject to any conditions deemed appropriate."

On Monday, the international tribunal announced that the confirmation of charges hearing for Duterte's crimes against humanity case was postponed after the latter’s camp said that he was “not fit to stand trial.” 

The hearing was initially set for September 23.

Kaufman issued the remark when asked about Duterte’s condition and what not being fit to stand trial entailed.

“Out of respect for the former president’s legacy, the defense would not raise such a plea were it not supported by leading medical experts, including one not selected by the defense,” he said.

“All litigants—the prosecution, the defense, and the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims—agree that the matter requires judicial determination, and for anyone to suggest otherwise would be a malicious insult to all those involved and affected,” he added.

Meanwhile, the families of alleged drug war victims expressed dismay over the postponement. They said that Duterte could waive his right to be present at the hearing and assign a lawyer to represent him. — VBL, GMA Integrated News