MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo said on Monday that he traveled to The Hague primarily as a friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, offering moral support ahead of the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges hearing, and not as a member of the official defense team.
In a radio interview, Panelo clarified that he has no role in the crafting of Duterte’s defense.
“For now, I am here as a friend,” he said, explaining that his initial purpose in attending the proceedings was to witness the hearings and, if possible, see Duterte.
He added that the creation of a formal legal panel came after individual supporters and allies already made independent arrangements to travel to The Hague.
“I and others traveled independently, without prior coordination as part of a defense group,” he said.
Duterte’s all-Filipino legal team includes Salvador Medialdea, Martin Delgra III, Silvestre Bello III, Alfredo Lim Jr., and Caesar Dulay. Panelo welcomed the formal constitution of the team but stressed that he had yet to assume any official function within it, and would attend the hearings as an observer and supporter rather than as a member of the defense.
Panelo also addressed reports suggesting he had coordinated with Duterte’s lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman. He said he had never formally met or worked with Kaufman on the case.