Defense team at ICC claims Duterte’s statements taken out of context

2026-02-26 - 10:34

MANILA, Philippines – Lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman has begun his defense of Rodrigo Duterte during the third day of the former president’s confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court on Thursday, February 26. Play Video MIRIAM GRACE GO, MANAGING EDITOR “Duterte’s lead counsel Kaufman accuses the prosecution of cherry-picking Duterte quotes to present his murderous intent, while he himself cherry-picks quotes from Duterte speeches — without context — to make it appear Duterte’s kill orders were not unlawful.” JAIRO BOLLEDO, JUSTICE REPORTER: “A few minutes into Nicholas Kaufman’s presentation of merits, we can say that their defense so far lies in claiming that Duterte’s speeches were taken out of context — that Duterte did not directly order the killings. Kaufman also now challenges the prosecution’s evidence by claiming that the attacks were not intended for the entire country. However, this does not remove the fact that nearly 30,000 people were killed under Duterte — by the police under Duterte. — “Duterte was not remorseful as late as 2024. Kaufman is claiming that the former president’s speeches about his kill orders are taken out of context – that they were just part of Duterte’s ‘colorful’ rhetoric. But there was no instance before that Duterte took back this supposed joke, nor was there any statement from the former president where he said that he was just joking. In fact, in a 2024 Senate hearing, he even admitted that he encouraged his cops to induce suspects so they would fight back and justify the killings.” National Union of People’s Lawyers president Ephraim Cortez said during a Rappler panel on Thursday that Kaufman is so far nitpicking, “as expected.” “It’s the only way that he can provide a defense for his client, because if you look at the evidence as a whole, medyo mahihirapan siya (he will have a hard time), very strong, very overwhelming,” he said. “He treated it in isolation from the others, especially the speeches,” Cortez added. “That is to insulate his client from any liability.” – with reports from Miriam Grace Go, Jairo Bolledo, Jodesz Gavilan/Rappler.com