Malacañang on Tuesday criticized lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, part of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team at the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing him of “politicking” following his remarks on Duterte’s detention.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement during her first Palace press briefing in Cebu, where she rejected Kaufman’s claim that the Philippine government had betrayed Duterte.
Castro framed the issue as one of justice for victims of alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
“Yes, it has been one year since the victims of EJK have seen the ray of justice – the justice that they deserve,” Castro said.
“It is not the President who betrayed the Filipinos, but the perpetrators and co-perpetrators in the commission of the crimes against humanity who betrayed and continually betray the Filipino people,” she added.
Castro also questioned Kaufman’s motives.
“Here, Kaufman goes again politicking instead of defending his own client. Pamumulitika. Is he preparing for the 2028 elections?” she said.
Kaufman earlier said Duterte had been “betrayed by the incumbent government” and denied the chance to defend his legacy under Philippine law.
“It is exactly one year since the former President was betrayed by the incumbent government and denied the ability to defend his legacy under the law of the Philippines,” Kaufman said in a statement.
Duterte has been under ICC custody in The Hague since March 2025, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
His camp has repeatedly questioned the court’s jurisdiction and described his arrest as unlawful, insisting that he should be returned to the Philippines.
Lawyers representing victims of the drug war, however, said Duterte’s detention marks a step toward accountability.
They stressed that while Duterte is afforded due process under international law, victims of alleged extrajudicial killings were “summarily sentenced to death without the benefit of trial.”
The Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) has also urged the public to keep discussions respectful of both the legal process and the victims, whose suffering it described as “real” and ongoing.
The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber is currently evaluating the case following the confirmation of charges hearing held in February 2026.
Malacañang maintained that the issue should focus on justice for victims rather than political narratives, as tensions persist between Duterte’s defense team and lawyers representing affected families. (LLP)
