Ben Madilynn
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal counsel, Nicholas Kauffman, said that the “real prosecutor” of Duterte is in Manila.
“I think the real prosecutor of this case is in Manila, sitting in his palace. He’s the person who threw President Duterte over here to The Hague,” he said in a media interview on Friday, May 23, 2025, in the Netherlands.
Kauffman added that this individual used the Office of the Prosecutor as a tool in his political campaign. However, he stressed that these actions would not work.
He expressed that Duterte won a landslide victory in the elections and that this is “a finger in the eye to the people who threw him over here.”
He said Duterte’s win was a “protest vote.”
Kauffmn revealed that they aim to release Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC) but that there are “certain conditions” that have to be met before an individual is released.
He added that this is not just any typical case where an individual could simply file for “bail” and be released.
“In order for someone to be released here, there has to be a willing party capable of receiving him into their territory, and that’s what we’re looking at. It’s a long process,” he said.
Kauffman also said that Duterte is in “good spirits,” is happy to see his defense team, and that they are working on their case.
He then encouraged Duterte’s supporters to keep their spirits up and said that if they want to support him, they should do so lawfully. He emphasized that supporters should show respect for due process, the judges, and the victims.
Kauffman said that the people involved have an important role to play in the case and that they have the right to express their voices.
He added that the victims’ rights “have nothing to do with his (Duterte’s) innocence.”
Duterte was taken to The Hague, Netherlands, on March 11 for his alleged crimes against humanity. He appeared before the ICC on March 14 for the pre-trial hearing, and the confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled for September 23.
It has been over 70 days since Duterte was taken to The Hague. RGP
Source: Duterte Counsel Kauffman: “Real Prosecutor” in Manila
