Duterte lawyer claims Marcos sought to 'neutralize' Duterte

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought to "neutralize" his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s legal counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), claimed on Monday.

During his opening statement at Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, Kaufman cited a purported document containing a transcript of a telephone call between four parties, whose identities he did not disclose.

He alleged that one of the parties in the phone call supposedly managed a scheme to influence witnesses in the ICC case.

“One of these parties was boasting—boasting about how he was acting as the silent partner of President BBM (Marcos), managing a scheme to funnel witnesses to this court while all the time ensuring that he could guarantee President BBM’s plausible deniability,” Kaufman said.

“So it is indeed the defense’s case that President Marcos Jr. set out to neutralize Rodrigo Duterte and his legacy,” he added.

'Preposterous'

In response, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed Kaufman's claim as "preposterous."

"Kaufman has the temerity to accuse President Marcos of trying to neutralize Duterte's legacy. That is preposterous. He seems to be the one suffering from severe cognitive impairment, and not his client, because he tremendously forgets the timeline, since the crimes against humanity cases were filed before the International Criminal Court in 2017, when President Marcos, Jr. was still a private citizen," Castro said in a statement.

Castro said Kaufman has not provided a "clear defense" for Duterte's alleged extrajudicial killings.

"In addition, one of the counsels, Silvestre Bello III, admitted that Duterte killed someone by throwing him out of a helicopter. He should learn the facts of his case rather than focus on political rhetoric," she added.

Kaufman also criticized the President, saying his word was “for the wind."

He cited a letter of Marcos, where he said that his administration would not assist the ICC in any way, shape, or form.

The lawyer also named then Justice Secretary and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who he said persisted with the “same dishonest theme.”

In March 2025, Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Shortly after, he was flown to The Netherlands.

Malacañang has previously rejected Duterte’s claim that he was “kidnapped” by the Philippine government.

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, in connection with his anti-narcotics campaign.

The next hearings are scheduled for February 24, 26, and 27.

According to government records, around 6,200 drug suspects were killed during Duterte’s anti-drug operations.

Human rights organizations, however, estimate the number could reach 30,000, citing unreported related killings.—MCG/VBL, GMA Integrated News