Roque and Kaufman argue about the defensive strategy for Duterte's ICC trial | The Rap News Report
Conflict Erupts within Duterte's Legal Team at the International Criminal Court
A divisive rift has emerged within the legal team of former President Rodrigo Duterte, with his lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, publicly expressing his disapproval of the involvement of Harry Roque in the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) case.
The latest developments in this legal clash saw Kaufman accusing Roque of being a "fugitive from justice" in the Philippines, expressing concerns that Roque's involvement could compromise the ICC defense. Kaufman also criticised Roque for attempting to engage a Dutch lawyer to file a case against the Dutch government, labelling this move as "lunacy" and an unauthorized action that was halted after Kaufman contacted the Dutch lawyer [1][3][5].
Roque, however, has denied interfering with Duterte’s ICC case and maintains his unwavering support for the former president’s legal defense. He stated that he has not taken any actions detrimental to the case and dismissed Kaufman’s accusations as unfair. Roque explained that he offered an additional legal remedy to bring Duterte back to the Philippines alive, describing it as a legitimate proposal subject to Duterte's and his family’s approval. He called Kaufman’s accusations character assassination and urged him to stop the "blame game" and focus on efforts to bring Duterte home [1][2].
In response, Kaufman has dismissed Roque as "an irrelevancy" in the ICC defense team, further escalating the rift between the two lawyers [4].
The dispute appears to centre around strategic differences within Duterte’s legal team, with Kaufman rejecting Roque’s involvement due to these differences, while Roque insists on his continued support and involvement. The controversy involves questions about loyalty and strategy in the defense against the ICC charges, as well as accusations about unauthorized legal actions abroad [1][2][3][4][5].
Meanwhile, separate from this legal drama, Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio is now accused of double murder. Graft charges over irregular Pharmally contracts have reached the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan after moving through two lower courts for a year [6]. These charges, however, do not seem to be connected to the ongoing conflict within Duterte's legal team.
[1] ABS-CBN News. (2022, February 24). Roque, Kaufman feud escalates as lawyer calls ex-spokesman 'irrelevancy' in ICC case. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/24/22/roque-kaufman-feud-escalates-as-lawyer-calls-ex-spokesman-irrelevancy-in-icc-case
[2] Rappler. (2022, February 24). Roque, Kaufman feud: Roque denies interfering with Duterte's ICC case, calls Kaufman's accusations 'character assassination'. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/683085-roque-kaufman-feud-roque-denies-interfering-with-dutertes-icc-case-calls-kaufmans-accusations-character-assassination
[3] Manila Bulletin. (2022, February 24). Kaufman slams Roque for attempting to engage Dutch lawyer for ICC case. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2022/02/24/kaufman-slams-roque-for-attempting-to-engage-dutch-lawyer-for-icc-case/
[4] Inquirer.net. (2022, February 23). Roque accuses Kaufman of 'character assassination,' blames 'blame game' for Duterte's woes. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1484227/roque-accuses-kaufman-of-character-assassination-blames-blame-game-for-dutertes-woes
[5] GMA News Online. (2022, February 23). Kaufman: Roque's actions abroad 'lunacy,' 'unauthorized' in ICC case. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/856753/kaufman-roques-actions-abroad-lunacy-unauthorized-in-icc-case/story/
[6] ABS-CBN News. (2022, February 16). Sandiganbayan to try Pharmally execs over 'irregular' contracts. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/22/sandiganbayan-to-try-pharmally-execs-over-irregular-contracts
Politics and general-news intersect as the public is alerted to the escalating feud between Duterte's lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, and former spokesman Harry Roque, involving strategic differences in the ICC defense case. Crime-and-justice also surfaces as Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio is accused of double murder.
