Palace to Kaufman: Focus on Rodrigo Duterte, not on PH politics

Nicholas Kaufman, the lawyer of former President Rodrigo Duterte, should focus on defending his client, not on Philippine politics, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Friday.

“He (Kaufman) should focus on his defense and legal strategies, not on President Marcos Jr.,” Castro said in a press release in response to the statement of Kaufman that the Marcos administration is not going to help the defense in any way.

“He is losing track of his case because he keeps monitoring Philippine politics. He should do his best for his client, not for the political careers of his client's children,'' she added. 

During an interview with international media, Kaufman accused the current administration of helping the prosecution since Duterte was brought into the custody of the International Criminal Court. 

The ICC had confirmed the charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte in connection with his bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

In a 50-page document, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I committed Duterte to face trial on the charges as confirmed, and ordered the court registrar to transmit the decision confirmation of charges and the record of these proceedings.

Kaufman had said the defense will prove during the trial before the ICC that the supposed state policy to kill suspects in his administration's war on drugs was "complete fiction."

Kaufman said the credibility of the prosecution witnesses was never assessed at the confirmation hearing. — AOL, GMA News