Lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, lead counsel of former President Rodrigo Duterte, strongly denied that the defense team of FPRRD was the reason for the slow progress of his case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Kaufman insisted that the ICC’s judicial process must be followed and that the interim release request cannot be submitted yet because they still have information to obtain.
Kaufman said he has been trying to obtain the information for a long time, but cannot explain it in detail to the public at this time.
“I will not, however, pursue a request for something as fundamental as an interim release when I have been prevented from accessing information which I believe to be crucial to obtaining that objective,” he said.
Kaufman also dismissed ‘malicious lies’ being spread by some individuals, claiming that he is using “delaying tactics” concerning the case of FPRRD.
According to him, these claims are meant to destroy the defense team of the former president.
“These are baseless claims circulated by petty-minded and self-interested individuals who have a reason to vilify the defence. We visit the former president daily. These statements and rumours are malicious lies,” he added.
Kaufman became the subject of criticism when reports of him meeting with Imelda Marcos surfaced.
Kaufman clarified that the former president is aware of his past clients, including his meeting with the former first lady more than 13 years ago. Kaufman insisted that he has nothing to hide and that his loyalty to the former president remains intact.
“The former president is fully aware of my former clients and also knows that my meeting with Imelda Marcos took place more than 13 years ago. This was before the Duterte family was recognized as a political force to be reckoned with in the Philippines. There is no question of my loyalty to former President Duterte,” he said.
