Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte is showing “modesty and calmness” despite his detention and trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to his lead defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.
In an interview with The Newsmaker on NewsWatch Plus, Kaufman refrained from discussing specific details of his interactions with Duterte but emphasized the former president’s demeanor as they strategized for the defense.“I would not like to go into my interactions with former President Duterte because that is covered by client-attorney privilege. Notwithstanding, as a client, he displays a modesty and calmness which is very distinct from some of the personality traits that I have encountered—not just at the international criminal tribunals but in the course of my domestic criminal workload,” Kaufman said.The veteran trial lawyer also highlighted what makes Duterte’s case unique.“For me, the unique aspect of this case is, indeed, the fact that I am representing a former prosecutor. In fact, we share that previous employment attribute in common. It is this former work which enables me now, as defence counsel, to predict the strategy to be adopted by the Prosecution,” he added.Kaufman previously told the media that large public demonstrations of support are common during ICC proceedings.This happened in other cases as well. When the case gets to a critical stage, there is always a huge demonstration of support from people of the country concerned. And that’s happened quite frequently in this court,” he said.Despite the challenges, Kaufman assured that Duterte remains in good spirits.He’s in good spirits, and I will keep on saying that because he is in good spirits. Obviously, he’s 80 years old, and with all the accompanying medical issues that come with someone of that age, it’s not easy to adjust to life in detention or ICC detention. So those are the only challenges he’s facing at the moment,” Kaufman said.
