The defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte has formally asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to disqualify three lawyers representing alleged drug war victims, citing conflicts of interest and obstacles to fair representation.
In a redacted filing dated February 11, the defense requested the removal of lawyers Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres, and case manager Nicolene Arcaina, arguing that their continued involvement compromised the integrity of the proceedings.
“The Defence for Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte hereby requests the disqualification of Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres, and Nicolene Arcaina on the grounds of an impediment to representation and, in the alternative, on the basis of a conflict of interest,” the filing stated.
The defense also asked the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber to suspend the lawyers’ access to case records pending a ruling, citing undisclosed facts affecting impartiality and prior objections, including Butuyan’s “ardent interest” in participating and public criticisms of the defense strategy.
It argued that under ICC standards, a conflict of interest is assessed by whether a “reasonable and informed observer would apprehend bias,” making actual prejudice irrelevant.