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Tag: Duterte

  • Duterte Enlists International Law Expert to Lead Defense Team at ICC

    Duterte Enlists International Law Expert to Lead Defense Team at ICC

    Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has assembled a legal team, spearheaded by British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, to defend him against charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The panel, coordinated by his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, includes former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque as supporting counsels.

    Nicholas Kaufman: Veteran ICC Defense Counsel
    Kaufman, a seasoned international lawyer with 34 years of experience, holds credentials from the University of Cambridge and London’s Inns of Court Law School. His expertise includes representing high-profile ICC defendants such as Jean-Pierre Bemba, a Congolese ex-warlord whose 18-year sentence for crimes against humanity was overturned on appeal in 2018, and Maxime Mokom, a Central African Republic militia leader whose charges were dropped in 2023 due to insufficient evidence.

    Ralph Sarmiento, Dean of the University of St. La Salle Bacolod’s College of Law, emphasized Kaufman’s critical role: “Experience in international criminal litigation prevents procedural delays and ensures effective defense.” While retaining such counsel is costly, Sarmiento noted the ICC can assign accredited lawyers if a defendant cannot afford private representation.

    Salvador Medialdea: Loyal Legal Strategist
    Medialdea, a longtime ally and San Beda Law schoolmate of Duterte, has been a constant presence in the former president’s legal battles. He framed Duterte’s detention and transfer to The Hague as an “extrajudicial rendition,” though the ICC rejected his request to postpone Duterte’s initial hearing. Medialdea previously managed labor and immigration cases before serving as Duterte’s Executive Secretary and now leads a law firm representing the former leader.

    Harry Roque: Controversial Advocate
    Roque, a human rights lawyer turned Duterte spokesperson, brings a complex history to the team. Known for representing high-profile victims, including Jennifer Laude and Maguindanao Massacre families, he now faces legal troubles in the Philippines, including a qualified human trafficking charge. Despite potential extradition risks, Sarmiento clarified that Roque’s domestic legal issues would not bar his participation in ICC proceedings.

    Sara Duterte: Family Liaison Amid Political Turbulence
    Vice President Sara Duterte, acting as the family’s representative, has shuttled between The Hague and Manila amid her own political challenges. An impeachment trial looms in the Philippine Senate, linked to her rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her former electoral ally. While constitutionally barred from private legal practice, she plans to remotely support her father’s defense after returning to the Philippines.

    The ICC requires only the lead counsel to be accredited, allowing flexibility for supporting lawyers. As the case unfolds, Duterte’s team faces the dual challenge of navigating international law while managing domestic political and legal complexities.


    #LAWYERS #DUTERTE #ICC

  • Philippines’ Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested at ICC’s Request Over Drug War Killings

    Philippines’ Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested at ICC’s Request Over Drug War Killings

    MANILA — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose brutal “war on drugs” left thousands dead during his 2016–2022 tenure, was arrested Tuesday upon arrival at Manila’s international airport under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The arrest marks a pivotal moment in the global body’s years-long probe into alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-narcotics campaign.

    Arrest and Immediate Reactions


    Duterte, 79, was detained upon returning from Hong Kong and is currently held at Manila’s Villamor Air Base. His successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., confirmed the arrest but did not outline next steps. In a video shared by his daughter Veronica, Duterte questioned the legality of his detention: “What is the crime I committed? I was brought here against my will. Someone must answer for depriving my liberty.”

    The Drug War Legacy


    Duterte’s presidency was defined by his ruthless crackdown on drugs, which he vowed would “rid the Philippines of addiction.” Official police figures cite 6,200 suspects killed in “self-defense” shootouts, but activists and the ICC estimate up to 30,000 deaths, including extrajudicial killings of slum-dwellers and individuals on drug watchlists. Rights groups allege systematic executions and cover-ups by police—claims authorities deny.

    ICC’s Jurisdictional Battle


    The ICC, which launched its investigation in 2019, asserts jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member state (before Duterte withdrew that year). The Marcos administration initially refused cooperation but shifted stance in November 2023, agreeing to comply with ICC warrants. Duterte had long taunted the court, daring prosecutors to act before his death: “Hurry up—I might die soon. You’ll miss the pleasure of judging me.”

    Controversy and Defiance


    Duterte’s allies decried the arrest as unlawful. Former legal counsel Salvador Panelo argued the ICC “has no jurisdiction” and accused authorities of denying Duterte legal access. Meanwhile, victims’ families and activists hailed the move as overdue accountability. Randy delos Santos, uncle of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos—whose 2017 killing by police sparked national outrage—called it “true justice.”

    Political Reckoning


    The arrest intensifies scrutiny of Duterte’s alliance-turned-rivalry with Marcos Jr., whose family he helped return to power. It also revives attention on Leila de Lima, a former senator jailed under Duterte after investigating the drug war. Now free, de Lima stated: “He answers not to me, but to the victims and a world that refuses to forget.”

    What’s Next?


    If extradited to The Hague, Duterte would become Asia’s first ex-leader tried by the ICC. Legal experts anticipate protracted battles over jurisdiction, while rights advocates stress the symbolic weight of holding a populist leader to account. As global scrutiny mounts, the case tests the Philippines’ commitment to justice—and the ICC’s resolve in prosecuting state-sanctioned violence.