The Hague, Netherlands – Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s lead defense counsel said a traditional Filipino barong had been specially prepared for him in case he decided to appear before the International Criminal Court, but the former leader ultimately chose otherwise.

Speaking to reporters after the confirmation of charges hearing, Nicholas Kaufman said his team had a barong tailored for the 80-year-old former leader in anticipation that judges might require his presence.

“We had a barong specially fitted for him. My team went up there and we measured him,” Kaufman said. “He was a bit reluctant, but he agreed.”

Kaufman said he advised Duterte that if he were to appear before the chamber, he should wear the traditional Filipino formal attire instead of a suit and tie.

“I told him, well maybe you should think about coming… and if you do come, I want you to wear a barong,” he said.

Duterte ultimately chose not to attend, reiterating his longstanding position that he does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction, Kaufman said.

The defense lawyer also revealed that he had asked the court to remove or replace a photograph of Duterte on the ICC website showing him in what Kaufman described as an ill-fitting blue suit taken shortly after his arrest and transfer to The Hague.

“I think that that’s humiliating, quite frankly, having that photograph there,” Kaufman said. He said the image was taken days after Duterte had been discharged from a hospital and while he was “tired” and “suffering from the medication.”

“That was my request,” Kaufman clarified, adding that it was not initiated by Duterte’s family and was “not an official legal request” but a “polite request” made “from a humanitarian point of view.”

Duterte, who is facing crimes against humanity charges in connection with killings linked to his anti-drug campaign, has been in ICC custody since March 2025. Judges have up to 60 days to decide whether to confirm the charges and move the case to trial.