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(UPDATE 1) The lawyer’s request is still subject to the approval of the International War Crimes Tribunal Chamber III.
MANILA, Philippines – Nicholas Kaufman has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to remove him from the position of the former president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte lawyer in the last case of crimes against humanity.
“Considering the foregoing, pursuant to Rule 78(1) of the Rules of Court, I respectfully request permission to withdraw as counsel for Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the case of the Prosecutor against Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Kaufman said in his request on Friday, May 8.
The lawyer’s request is still subject to approval by the ICC’s Third Tribunal. This is the court dealing with Duterte’s three charges of crimes against humanity.
Kaufman said the defense team visited Duterte on Thursday, May 7, where the former president expressed “his intention to hire an alternative lawyer.”
The lawyer represented Duterte from the arrest of the former president on March 11, 2025, until the issuance of the decision of the ICC appeals court challenging Duterte’s powers in April.
Kaufman said he has already spoken with the unnamed attorney, who is ready to represent the former president immediately. Duterte’s new lawyer will also represent him during the case’s status conference on May 27, Kaufman said.
“I am confident that the continuity and effectiveness of Mr. Duterte’s representation will remain assured through (the unnamed lawyer), who has extensive experience at the International Criminal Court, and the defense team in place,” Kaufman added.
After an appeals court ruled that the ICC had jurisdiction over Duterte’s cases on April 22, Kaufman told reporters that to hold his post as a senior defense attorney if the charges are proven.
A day later, on April 23, the ICC’s Introduction Room confirmed all charges against Duterte.
Kaufman’s withdrawal request indicated that her engagement with Duterte was only for one year, and the contract had expired on March 31.
Duterte’s assistant adviser, Dov Jacobshe will also leave the defense team. Jacobs filed the petition on Thursday, citing Duterte’s decision “in reorganizing his defense team in anticipation of (the) trial phase of this case.”
The court approved Jacobs’ withdrawal in a ruling on Friday. – Rappler.com
