By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has decided to replace his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman ahead of his trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC), the latter confirmed on Friday night.
In a court document dated May 8, Kaufman formally notified the ICC Trial Chamber III that he would withdraw as Duterte’s counsel.
He was originally tapped to represent the former chief executive for one year, which was terminated on March 31, 2026.
Kaufman said the defense team visited Duterte on May 7 and the former chief executive has conveyed his decision to hire another lead counsel, the name of whom was redacted in the court document.
Kaufman said he has spoken to the lawyer “who has indeed confirmed that he is ready, willing, and able to assume immediate representation and that his terms of engagement have been agreed.”
“I am convinced that the continuity and efficacy of Mr. Duterte’s representation will remain assured through [REDACTED], who has a wealth of experience at the International Criminal Court, and the existing defense team,” he said.
In a separate court document on May 8, the ICC Trial Chamber III granted Dov Jacobs’ request to withdraw as Duterte’s associate counsel.
The ICC said Duterte is looking to reorganize his defense team in anticipation of his trial.
An ICC pre-trial chamber confirmed all charges against Duterte on April 23, and committed him to a full trial.
The three pre-trial judges concluded that there are “substantial grounds to believe” that Duterte was “criminally responsible” for the three counts of crimes against humanity brought by the ICC prosecutor against him, and that these were committed as part of a “widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population” in the Philippines between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019, in the context of the “war on drugs” campaign. (PNA)
