Former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairperson Martin Delgra criticized the opening statements made by victims’ counsel during the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmation of charges hearing, describing them as “quite insulting” and lacking evidence.
Delgra took issue with comments by human rights lawyer Joel Butuyan, who alleged that former President Rodrigo Duterte created “clones of himself” that perpetuated impunity and converted millions of citizens into “bloodthirsty disciples” condoning violence.
“I have to say this. (It’s) quite insulting. To say that the number of ‘bloodthirsty… Duterte clones,’ those are words that the man cannot even prove,” Delgra said.
He argued that public support for Duterte’s anti-drug policies indicates broad backing rather than the alleged widespread endorsement of violence.
“Millions believe in Rodrigo Duterte, on top of or in spite of his policy in so far as addressing the menace of illegal drugs in the country,” Delgra noted, emphasizing that Duterte’s governance was “very pro-poor, very pro-people.”
Delgra echoed lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman in highlighting Duterte’s connection with ordinary Filipinos:
“He understands it very well because he talks to the people, he is with the people in having to understand the people’s needs and aspirations.”
Expressing confidence in the defense, Delgra said:
“If there’s no political implication in this case on the merits, we are confident.”
He was part of a six-lawyer Filipino team, all former public officials during Duterte’s administration, who traveled to The Hague to ensure that the former president was properly represented by a Filipino legal team.