Palace tells Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer Nicholas Kaufman: ‘Do better’

Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer Nicholas Kaufman is advised to `do better’ than challenging legality of his client’s arrest. Screengrab from ICC video.

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday urged former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, to “do better” and focus on defending his client instead of proving his “unlawful” arrest.

This remark was in response to Kaufman’s move seeking to submit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) a Senate committee report—headed by presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos—which he claimed would prove that the arrest was a form of “political maneuvering” designed to “politically cripple” Duterte’s family.

READ: Rodrigo Duterte admitted ‘many things’ during drug war probe – PCO

Instead of doing so, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told Kaufman to concentrate on defending Duterte, who previously admitted to ordering the killings of certain individuals in connection with the war on drugs.

“For the fees he has allegedly been demanding from his client, former President Rodrigo Duterte, he should do better than that,” Castro said at a briefing.

“He should concentrate on his defenses; he should concentrate on the allegations and admissions of the former President of his killings and that he ordered the killings of some people in relation to war on drugs. And he also admitted that he will double the EJK [extrajudicial] killings once elected as a mayor. He should concentrate on that, that is supposed to paddle his defense for his client,” she also said.

READ: ICC prosecutors strengthen case vs Duterte with 11th batch of evidence

Castro said submitting the Senate committee report could even negatively affect Duterte’s case.

“If the investigation there is thoroughly examined and how it was carried out is looked into, the ICC judges are probably not blind to see what the possible truth really is in this matter,” she said in Filipino.

Furthermore, Castro reiterated that the Marcos administration had no hand in the arrest of Duterte.

“He should also remember that this case was filed as early as 2017, so President Marcos is not yet in this administration to accuse the current administration of such things. So, he should do better in researching his facts so he doesn’t get lost,” she said.

In a Senate hearing in October 2024, Duterte admitted that he maintained a “death squad” to combat crime during his tenure as mayor of Davao City.

Duterte needs exercise

In the same briefing, Castro commented on a claim by Duterte’s ex-wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, that the former president is now skin and bones. However, Zimmerman also stated that Duterte was in good condition, despite not taking his medication.

“It’s excellent that his health is being monitored right there in The Hague, so the former president won’t be neglected there,” said Castro.

Asked if Duterte’s health condition is a cause of concern, Castro said, “Right now, since his family said that the President is fine, all he needs to do is exercise.”

Duterte is currently being held in custody at the ICC detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands, pending his trial for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his administration’s drug war.

He was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11 and was flown out of the country on the same day.

The former president had his pre-trial hearing on March 14, while his confirmation of charges was scheduled for September 23. /mr /das