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Peter Haynes will be Duterte’s official lawyer once the International Criminal Court registry approves his formal appointment.
MANILA, Philippines – Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte is eyeing international criminal and humanitarian law expert Peter Haynes as his new lawyer for his crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte’s prospective lawyer was the president of the ICC Bar Association from 2019 to 2021. Haynes will be Duterte’s official lawyer once the ICC registry approves his official appointment.
The lawyer’s name was revealed on Tuesday, May 12 (Manila time), after the ICC released an unredacted version. by Nicholas Kaufman petition to withdraw as Duterte’s lawyer. Kaufman asked the court to withdraw from Duterte’s case on May 8.
“Yesterday (May 7), the Defense team visited Mr. Duterte and recorded Mr. Duterte’s release of Counsel from his representation and his intention to hire a replacement Counsel – Mr. Peter Haynes,” the petition read.
“Attorney (Kaufman) has spoken with Mr. Haynes, who has indeed confirmed that he is ready, willing, and able to take immediate representation and that his terms of engagement have been agreed to,” it added.
Duterte is detained in The Hague, Netherlands, after his arrest on March 11, 2025, for his crime against humanity case. This covers alleged killings under his war on drugs and the Davao Death Squad.
Kaufman served as Duterte’s lawyer since 2025, defending the former president during Duterte’s first appearance before the court in March 2025, during the confirmation hearing in February 2026, and even in Duterte’s challenge to the ICC’s jurisdiction over his case.
Haynes will now defend Duterte in the upcoming trial, since the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber upheld all three charges of crimes against humanity in an April ruling.
“Counsel (Kaufman) informed Mr. Haynes of the pending deadline, and Mr. Haynes assured him that he would be able to attend the status conference scheduled for May 27, 2026,” Kaufman’s motion added.
Haynes has more than 20 years of experience handling cases before The Hague, according to him profile from Saint Philips Barrister. – Rappler.com
