Duterte accepts ICC trial, defense team braces for legal battle

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been informed of the International Criminal Court ruling committing him to trial, with his lead counsel and daughter saying the former leader is accepting the decision even as the defense prepares for the legal battle.

Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said he spoke with Duterte by phone to relay the decision, noting that the former president remained “stoical” and immediately raised questions about the evidence presented against him.

“He did ask me, you know, what’s the evidence… what’s the evidence to show that they actually committed these murders, which they say I committed?” Kaufman said in an interview.

Kaufman criticized the ruling of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber, arguing that the judges failed to cite specific pieces of evidence in their decision confirming the charges.

“We argued for at least two and a half days but the judges haven’t even cited one piece of evidence in their footnotes to justify their decision,” he said.

The lawyer also questioned portions of the ruling that allowed what he described as a “flexible approach” in detailing the charges, including timing, location, and identities of victims.

“The whole purpose of a confirmation hearing is to determine the exact nature of the charges so that the suspect knows what he has to defend at trial,” he said.

Despite his criticisms, Kaufman acknowledged that the case will now proceed.

“We have to be realistic, we’re facing a trial,” he said, adding that the defense team will seek to appeal the decision and prepare to cross-examine prosecution witnesses.

He said the case relies heavily on testimony from cooperating witnesses, whom the defense intends to challenge in court.

“At trial, we will question them and show them to be the liars that they are,” Kaufman said.

Kaufman also alleged that the Philippine government would not assist Duterte’s legal team, saying authorities have instead supported the prosecution since the former president’s surrender to the ICC.

Earlier, Duterte’s daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte said the former president is aware of the ruling and has accepted it.

“He knows and so far he is accepting of it,” she said, adding that Duterte advised his family to “protect the name” and continue serving the public.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber confirmed charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte over killings linked to his anti-drug campaign, paving the way for a full trial before the international tribunal.