Duterte's defense team dismisses concern over confidential information

A public redacted version of the response of former President Rodrigo Duterte's legal team regarding the issues of the prosecution on confidential information was released by the International Criminal Court (ICC) early Friday morning.

Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte's lead counsel, "affirms, confirms, assures and guarantees" information of certain individuals mentioned in a confidential request by the prosecution.

He said that these individuals “have not, and will not, receive any disclosure in this case”; “have not, and will not, have access to any non-public filings in this case”; “have not, and will not, receive any other non-public information in relation to this case” (arising out of the conduct of this case); and “are not entitled to legally privileged meetings or other communications with Mr Duterte in the Detention Centre”.

"Since spring is in the air and Counsel is feeling remarkably benevolent, he will not take offence at the unnecessary nature of the Request and its implied suggestion (or rather insinuation) that he might be violating Article 8 of the Code of Professional Conduct," said Kaufman.

He noted the prosecution's "unabated passion for scrutinising the media coverage of this case."

He recommended that the prosecution "“not to believe everything he reads in the papers” - unless, of course, it relates to Mr Duterte’s innocence."  — BAP, GMA Integrated News