Lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, said Thursday he would be willing to travel to Manila if Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro wished to discuss the issue of interim release for his client, who is facing crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Kaufman made the remark after Castro dismissed his earlier statements as “mere gossip,” particularly his claim before ICC judges that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought to “neutralize” Duterte.
During the first day of the confirmation of charges hearing on Monday, Kaufman cited what he described as a transcript of a phone call involving four individuals, including a person he referred to as Marcos’ “silent partner,” who was allegedly “boasting about managing a scheme” to influence ICC proceedings.
“If she wants to invite me to Manila, I’d be happy to come and we can discuss the interim release of Mr. Duterte,” Kaufman told reporters in The Hague.
Asked why he mentioned Castro, Kaufman said she had made remarks about him.
“She made some comments about me and she was imputing something regarding, as I said, a certain person and I’m not going to comment on that anymore. I said there are protective measures in this court. You’ve heard my submissions. What I said is what I said,” he explained.
On jurisdiction, Kaufman noted that the issue remains pending before the ICC Appeals Chamber.
“And it hasn’t done so to date. Obviously, they could render it in writing overnight. I don’t think so. But it’s not the place to argue jurisdiction in the confirmation hearings,” he said.
He declined to speculate on whether the judges may have already formed an opinion following the defense’s challenge.
“I’m not going to comment on, as I said, prejudging or not because it has nothing to do with the issue which is currently before the court. I’m not going to allocate marks and scores to the judges,” Kaufman added.
As for Duterte’s condition, Kaufman said the detained former president remained composed.
“The former President is in good spirits, as always… He has not been monitoring the hearing because, as you know, he gave a waiver… I went up to the prison and I told him everything that was going on,” he said.