MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has issued a sharp rebuke to Nicholas Kaufman, the international legal counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, accusing him of being overly preoccupied with Philippine politics at the expense of his client’s defense. Palace spokesperson Claire Castro stated on Friday, April 24, 2026, that Kaufman appears to be “losing track” of the legal proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The tension follows Kaufman’s allegations that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been actively assisting the ICC prosecution.
In a Viber message to the media, Castro advised Kaufman to realign his priorities toward the courtroom in The Hague rather than monitoring the political landscape in Manila.
- Focus on Defense: Castro suggested that Kaufman should prioritize legal strategy over public commentary on the political careers of the Duterte siblings—Vice President Sara Duterte, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and Rep. Paolo Duterte.
- Monitoring Politics: “He should focus on his defense and legal strategies, not on President Marcos. He is losing track of his case because he keeps monitoring Philippine politics,” Castro noted.
- Respect for the Court: The Palace emphasized its respect for the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I’s recent decision (April 23, 2026) confirming charges of crimes against humanity against the former president.
The dispute was triggered by Kaufman’s recent interview in The Hague, where he claimed that the Philippine government would not offer any assistance to the former president.
- Assistance to Prosecution: Kaufman alleged that the Marcos administration had been helping the ICC prosecution even before Duterte was formally surrendered to the court.
- Lack of State Support: When asked if he required assistance from the Philippine government—typically provided as “assistance to nationals”—Kaufman stated he expected no help “whatsoever” from the current leadership.
The ICC confirmed substantial grounds to believe Rodrigo Duterte is responsible for crimes against humanity, covering events from November 2011 to March 2019:
- Davao City Era (2013-2016): Murders of 19 victims during his term as mayor.
- Presidency (2016-2017): Murders of 14 victims.
- Barangay Operations (2016-2018): 45 counts of murder and attempted murder during local clearance operations.
The Palace maintains that the confirmation of these charges is a step toward justice for both the victims and the accused. “Justice for the accused if they are innocent, and justice for the victims if their rights were violated,” Castro added.
The exchange highlights the deepening rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions. As the legal proceedings in The Hague intensify, the administration’s distancing from the former president’s legal woes continues to define the current political era. While Kaufman claims the government is sabotaging the defense, Malacañang asserts that the rule of law must prevail regardless of domestic political affiliations.