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A Facebook user posted an image supposedly showing Nicholas Kaufman visiting former client Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC, despite having stepped down as Duterte’s defense lawyer. The image is AI-generated.
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.
A video circulating online is claiming that the International Criminal Court sabotaged lawyer Nicholas Kaufman after the live broadcast was cut during his presentation at the confirmation of charges hearing. This needs context.
Can a head of state be held accountable not only for what he did, but also for what he said? In the end, it may not be a secret memo or a taped call that will bring down “the Punisher,” but the echo of his own voice.
Kaufman is totally and absolutely wrong that no corpse had surfaced (in Davao Gulf) . I am very sure that his reference for the Davao Gulf burials was the Edgar Matobato testimonies. In which case I am very sure as well that Kaufman was lying.
The Prosecution and the Victims : Former president Rodrigo Duterte masterminded the killing of thousands of mostly poor Filipinos and there is evidence to support this. Charges against the detained former leader must be confirmed so he can face trial for his crimes.The Defense: Duterte murdered no one. Charges against him must be dismissed and he should be allowed to go home to Davao
It is not enough simply to assert that Rodrigo Duterte said outrageous things, and that deaths occurred, and so, as a result, he must be criminally responsible - Kaufman
Prosecutors played video clips and cited transcripts of Duterte’s speeches in which he issued his “kill, kill” orders, promised to shield police from prosecution and assured them they would not go to jail for actions taken in the drug war.
Presiding Judge Iulia Antonella Motoc to Nicholas Kaufman: The Chamber, therefore, urges the Defence to place substance over stylistic and theatrical formulation.
Update Feb. 20, 2026: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 allows Duterte to skip confirmation hearings next week.“The Chamber, while acknowledging the objections of the Prosecution and the CLRV, considers that, in the present circumstances of the case, it is appropriate to proceed with the hearing on the confirmation of charges in the absence of Mr Duterte.”
