Former president Rodrigo Duterte has hired a new lawyer to represent him in his trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague to replace Nicholas Kaufman, who led his defense team during the pre-trial proceedings. The identity of the new lawyer, however, was redacted in the ICC documents.
In his May 8 notification to the ICC Trial Chamber III, Kaufman said in his meeting with Duterte the previous day, he was informed of his release as counsel and his client’s desire to hire a new counsel. Duterte is charged with three counts of crimes against humanity and currently detained at the Scheveningen prison.
Kaufman informed the court he had spoken to the new lawyer “who has indeed confirmed that he is ready willing and able to assume immediate representation and that his terms of engagement have been agreed.”
“Counsel informed [redacted] of pending deadlines and [redacted] assured him that he will be able to attend the status conference set for 27 May 2026,” Kaufman said.
“In light of the aforementioned, in accordance with Regulation 78(1) of the Regulations of the Court, I hereby respectfully request leave to withdraw as Counsel for Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the case of the Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ICC-01/21-01/25), “ Kaufman further told the ICC Trial Chamber III presided by Judge Joanna Korner.
Kaufman said his one-year contract with Duterte ended on March 31. He, however, continued to file appeals and manifestations on behalf of Duterte until May 4. In his interviews with The Hague-based vlogger Alvin Sarzate, he has expressed willingness to continue representing the former Philippines president in the trial proper, which is expected to commence later this year.
He has issued the following statement: “It has been a privilege for me to represent the former president. I thank both him and the many thousands of supporters who have shown their appreciation for my efforts on his behalf. If my withdrawal is approved, I am convinced that I will be leaving Tatay Digong in safe hands. May God bless the former president, the Duterte family and the Filipino nation. Daghang Salamat!”
The Trial Chamber III has yet to release its action on Kaufman’s withdrawal as Duterte’s counsel.
Earlier, the Trial Chamber III accepted the resignation of Dov Jacobs, Kaufman’s associate, from the Duterte case.
Trial Chamber III has called for a First Status Conference among parties concerned on May 27 to decide, among other matters, the date of the trial; estimated number of witnesses to be called and number of hours of in-court testimony; use of expert witnesses; testimony given by audio or video link; estimated volume of documentary and other non-testimonial evidence to be relied upon at trial.
