Kaufman says Duterte ‘in good spirits’ ahead of final defense submissions at ICC

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said former President Rodrigo Duterte remains “in good spirits” as the defense prepares to complete its submissions in the confirmation of charges hearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking briefly to reporters after the third day of the confirmation of charges hearing, Kaufman said he met Duterte a day earlier at the detention facility to brief him on the proceedings.

“I went up to the prison and I told him everything that was going on,” he said.

He clarified that Duterte has not been monitoring the hearings after waiving his appearance, but stressed that updating his client is part of his responsibility as counsel.

“I give him a report, of course. I’m counsel and I’m expected to give my client a report… It would be unethical otherwise,” Kaufman said.

Kaufman said he has nearly completed his arguments and will finish them during the next hearing day.

“I have one more hour left tomorrow and then I will complete my submissions,” he said, declining to discuss strategy.

On questions about jurisdiction, Kaufman said the matter remains with the Appeals Chamber and is not being argued at the confirmation stage.

“It’s not the place to argue jurisdiction in the confirmation hearings,” he said.

Kaufman also briefly addressed his mention of Claire Castro during his submissions, saying he was responding to comments made about him but would not elaborate due to court protective measures.

“What I said is what I said,” he said.

During his opening statement at Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, Kaufman had claimed on Monday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought to "neutralize" his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

He 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.

In response, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed Kaufman's claim as "preposterous." — BAP, GMA Integrated News