MANILA, Philippines — The withdrawal of Nicholas Kaufman as the lead defense counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte proves that the case against the former chief executive in the International Criminal Court (ICC) is indefensible, according to a group of Filipinos in Europe who are calling for the former leader’s conviction.
Kaufman, alongside fellow defense counsel Dov Jacobs, both withdrew as Duterte’s ICC defense lawyers on Friday (early Saturday in Manila).
“The withdrawal of Nicholas Kaufman as lead defense counsel for former president Rodrigo Duterte in the crime against humanity charges filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicates that Duterte’s case is practically indefensible,” Panagutin Network-Netherlands said in a statement on Saturday.
“Kaufman’s tactics to file several appeals questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction and, most recently, his critique of various technicalities involved in the handling of the case have all fallen flat following the unanimous decision of the ICC judges to set aside his arguments. This demonstrates that all of the legal maneuvers of Duterte’s defense team thus far has all been mere delay tactics, and that there is no real defense to argue,” they added.
The group said it was clear that after the confirmation of charges hearing last February, that the prosecution showed a “comprehensive and in-depth investigation of the case, with legal personalities commenting on the numerous pieces of evidence which showed a clear command responsibility that ended in the office of Duterte.”
“With the charges against Duterte now confirmed, we look forward to the arrest of Duterte’s co-perpetrators. They are equally responsible for carrying out one of the bloodiest and gross violations of human rights in recent Philippine history,” the group said.
A status conference will be held at the ICC on May 27, 2026 regarding the former president’s crimes against humanity charges.
