Palace says Kaufman politicking instead of defending Duterte

Malacañang on Tuesday accused lawyer Nicholas Kaufman of politicking after the latter insisted that the arrest of his client, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was a form of government betrayal.

Kaufman had said that it's been a year since the former President was betrayed by the incumbent government and ''denied the ability to defend his legacy under the law of the Philippines.''

But for Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, victims of extrajudicial killings are already seeing justice a year after Duterte's arrest. 

''Yes, it has been one year since the victims of EJK have seen their way of justice – the justice that they deserve. It is not the President who betrayed the Filipinos but the perpetrators and co-perpetrators in the commission of the crimes against humanity who betrayed and continually betray the Filipino people,'' Castro said at a press briefing.

''Here, Kaufman throws again politicking instead of defending his own client. Pamumulitika (Politicking). Is he preparing for the 2028 elections?'' she added. 

To recall, Duterte was flown by a chartered plane to Rotterdam on March 11, 2025, and later turned over to the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. He was brought before the ICC under a warrant of arrest for crimes against humanity for his bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

His first and only appearance before the ICC happened on March 14, 2025. Since then, Duterte and his counsel have questioned the court’s jurisdiction over him.

The confirmation of charges hearing against him happened nearly a year later, on February 23 to 27, 2026.

A week before this, Duterte requested to waive his appearance and told the Pre-Trial Chamber that his “kidnapping was facilitated by the Office of the incumbent President of the Philippines with a plane specially chartered for this purpose.”

The Marcos administration maintained that due process was observed during Duterte's arrest, noting that the government only honored its commitments with the Interpol. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News