International criminal defense lawyer Atty. Nicholas Kaufman has urged Malacañang Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro to refrain from interfering with his work as legal counsel to former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In an interview with GMA Integrated News, Kaufman responded to Castro’s critical comments about his use of the Philippine Senate Foreign Relations Committee report as part of Duterte’s defense. “I’d kindly thank Claire Castro not to interfere with the job that I’m doing, just as much as I wouldn’t interfere with the job that she’s doing: peddling the misinformation of her own administration,” said Kaufman. He added, “She seems to have a rather unhealthy obsession with me.”
Castro previously said that Kaufman “should do better” given his alleged professional fees and focus instead on the former president’s public admissions regarding the war on drugs. Kaufman defended his strategy, stressing that using the Senate panel report is meant to counter “factual gossip” from the ICC Prosecutor, which he claims is based on media clippings rather than formal investigations.
“It’s my job to decide what has a positive or negative impact on the case,” he emphasized. He called the Senate report—spearheaded by Senator Imee Marcos—“comprehensive” and reflective of public sentiment.
Senator Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., previously led the Senate probe, which concluded that Duterte’s rights may have been violated during his arrest. Vice President Sara Duterte, in a public address, confirmed that Marcos had met privately with Kaufman during a trip to The Hague, but denied knowledge of their conversation.
Responding to questions about Kaufman’s allegedly high fees, Sara Duterte clarified she is not involved in financing his legal services. Kaufman, for his part, maintained that his compensation is “completely not relevant,” noting that every accused is entitled to competent legal representation.
Former President Duterte has been in ICC custody since March 12, detained at Scheveningen Prison in The Hague. His legal team continues to challenge the court’s jurisdiction while preparing for the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September 23. They are also petitioning for Duterte’s interim release, claiming unlawful rendition.
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