“What we all are now seeing is like watching a teleserye, where the final episode is predictable”
ASIDE from what has been published in the newspapers that the defense lawyers of former President Duterte claim Duterte was “kidnapped,” a claim the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over Duterte and accusation the Philippines surrendered its sovereignty to the ICC, now the defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman is thinking of seeking the interim release of Duterte now that he is in the custody of the ICC.
Kaufman said it is the right of the accused to seek interim release, Santa Banana!
Kaufman said this right can be negated if, first, the accused is a flight risk, second, the accused interfered with the evidence of witnesses, and, third, the accused can continue to commit the crimes he had been accused of, like continuing crimes against humanity.
The way I look at all the defense moves to defend Duterte, I have my doubts that Duterte would ever be released, even on an interim basis by the ICC prior to the pre-trial and the trial itself of Duterte in September, my gulay!
The political issue is entirely different from what can happen at the ICC as the defense lawyers are well aware of, like all the continuing rallies by Duterte supporters and allies.
With midterm elections now at fever pitch, I have personal doubts those allies in favor of Duterte will continue rallying and supporting him.
But, what I am concerned about is the continuing disagreement between the President and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos and to what extent it can affect the political situation. It could even have a negative effect on Imee’s reelection at the rate her ranking in the poll surveys is getting lower and lower.
But, I believe despite the fact that Senator Imee is against her brother BBM, it remains that the administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas will dominate the senatorial race.
According to reliable political surveys like Pulse Asia, Social Weather Stations and OCTA, Alyansa will continue to dominate the Senate Race. But the people are more interested about the results of the local election.
As for Duterte’s future in connection with his crimes against humanity, let’s leave all that to the ICC.
But, the way I see it, it is all the fault of Duterte himself. He dug himself into a hole with his brutal and bloody war against illegal drugs. From my point of view, the hole he dug is so deep he won’t be able to extricate himself out of it.
An interim release of Duterte is a remote possibility, not with all the evidence against the accused in connection with the infamous Davao Death Squad and in connection with some over 140 cases of EJKs or Extrajudicial Killings during Duterte’s brutal and bloody war on illegal drugs.
An interim release would send the wrong message that the arrest of Duterte would be meaningless, my gulay!
As a lawyer myself, I look at Duterte’s arrest as a message the International Criminal Court has in its possession more than enough evidence already to prove the accused is guilty as charged , Santa Banana!
Sources told me many of the witnesses, including the relatives of those who were victims of EJK, are in fact already ready to appear in person before the ICC.
I don’t know too much about how the ICC would follow the rule of the court, but I am sure the ICC will observe the usual rules of court like what is being observed in any court of law.
What we all are now seeing iis like watching a teleserye, where the final episode is predictable.
