To seek his interim release, apply for ICC legal aid to defray costs

Former President Rodrigo Duterte now has a full defense team to represent and defend him in his crimes against humanity for murder case before the International Criminal Court, his lead counsel in The Netherlands said.

According to British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, the team is composed of five individuals, one of whom is Filipino citizen.

Kaufman, however, did not disclose the names of his team members.

He said they will soon file a petition for Duterte’s interim release.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s been illegally detained and he should go back to the Philippines as soon as possible,” Kaufman said.

“Nearly every case in application for interim release is submitted and I file it if I feel it is appropriate.”

“Interim release is a right accorded to all suspects at the International Criminal Court which may only be tempered by three recognized risk factors under the Rome Statute. None of those risk factors apply in the present case,” Kaufman said in a separate interview with Rappler.

The Duterte camp is also eyeing to get ICC legal aid, which former presidential spokesperson and ICC-accredited lawyer Harry Roque said can reach up to P2.8 million every month or equivalent to 40,000 euros.

The aid can be used to compensate the lead counsel, co-counsel, legal assistant, case manager and investigator.

Meanwhile, a militant lawmaker yesterday chided the Vice President for asking Filipinos to “move on as a country,” saying there has be accountability and justice first.

“There can be no genuine moving on without accountability and justice,” Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said.

“I would like to remind VP Sara that the drug war disproportionately targeted poor communities, leaving thousands of women as single parents struggling to raise their children amid economic hardship. These women cannot simply ‘move on’ when the architect of their suffering has yet to face full accountability.”

“This is about accountability for the estimated 30,000 lives lost during the drug war, many of whom were breadwinners whose families continue to suffer economic hardship and trauma to this day,” she added.

Presidential sister and Senate foreign relations committee chair Imee Marcos, for her part, advised Senator Bong Go “not to lose hope” amid the possibility that the former president will no longer be able to return to the Philippines.

Marcos, interviewed on GMA News, was asked about Go’s statement that her Senate hearing on Duterte’s arrest might already be “too late.”

“He gave up so easily. Let’s not surrender,” she said.

“Do not give up right away — we might even get him back if we can prove that what happened was wrong and that the Philippine courts are more than capable to hear the case of President Duterte and he can face trial here,” Marcos said.

The Vice President earlier acknowledged the possibility that her father may not be coming home from his trial at The Hague.

Business leaders, however, remained silent on the issue.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) reiterated its apolitical stance.

“PCCI is solely focused on business. We are not involved in political matters,” PCCI president Enunina Mangio said.

“Operations remain normal, and our trade missions continue as scheduled,” she added.