Kaufman's Vice Presidency is met with self-assuredness by Sara.
In a significant turn of events, British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman has been appointed as the lead defense counsel for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings. The case against Duterte revolves around allegations of crimes against humanity during his administration's controversial war on drugs.
Duterte made his first appearance before the ICC judges on March 14, 2025, via videoconference from a nearby detention center. Kaufman, who was previously chosen by Duterte himself as his lawyer, is now managing the defense requests and representing Duterte in the ongoing proceedings.
Kaufman has been actively advocating for Duterte's interim release, proposing conditions under which Duterte could be released to an undisclosed country that has agreed to certain security and surveillance terms under the ICC framework. He has criticized some prosecution suggestions as impractical and emphasized feasible legal conditions for release, demonstrating his commitment to a strategic defense at the court.
Vice President Sara Duterte, Duterte's daughter, has chosen Kaufman to represent her father in the upcoming confirmation of charges at the ICC. Despite her inability to comment on Kaufman's legal preparations for the case, she has expressed trust in his capabilities and confidence in his preparations for the upcoming proceedings. The Duterte family has stated that they will follow the client's choice, as Duterte has chosen Kaufman as his lawyer.
Human rights groups estimate the death toll during Duterte's presidential term to be over 30,000, a figure significantly higher than the national police's reported death toll of more than 6,000. The ICC proceedings for Duterte are scheduled to take place at the Hague in the Netherlands.
Atty. Nicholas Kaufman is open to interviews and willing to answer questions regarding the case. As the legal battle unfolds, the world waits with bated breath to see how Kaufman will navigate the complexities of the case and defend Duterte in the court of law.
References:
[1] CNN Philippines. (2025). Kaufman proposes conditions for Duterte's interim release. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2025/03/16/Kaufman-proposes-conditions-for-Dutertes-interim-release.html
[2] Rappler. (2025). Kaufman: Duterte's interim release is feasible. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/283704-kaufman-dutertes-interim-release-feasible
[3] ABS-CBN News. (2025). Kaufman to represent Duterte in ICC proceedings. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/03/18/25/kaufman-to-represent-duterte-in-icc-proceedings
[4] Inquirer.net. (2025). Kaufman: Prosecution suggestions impractical. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1362671/kaufman-prosecution-suggestions-impractical
[5] GMA News. (2025). Sara Duterte trusts Kaufman for father's legal defense. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/nation/government/769603/sara-duterte-trusts-kaufman-for-fathers-legal-defense/story/
The ongoing ICC proceedings against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte are not just about crime and justice, but also intertwine with politics and general news, as the world watches the case unfold. War-and-conflicts and human rights violations are central issues in the case, given the high death toll during Duterte's presidency that surpasses the reported police death toll.
