IN A move to reinforce his legal defense, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has approved the appointment of veteran international law expert Kate Gibson as associate counsel for former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The ICC Registry—the administrative body of the court—formally notified Trial Chamber III of Gibson’s appointment on May 18, 2026.
The Australian defense lawyer will work directly alongside British attorney Peter Haynes KC, who took over as Duterte’s lead counsel on May 15 following the departure of British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman.
An elite track record
Gibson’s entry into the case brings a wealth of specialized ICC experience to the defense roster.
Notably, she was a key member of the legal team that successfully secured an acquittal for former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba before the ICC—a landmark case in international criminal law.
According to official court documents, Gibson has formally confirmed to the Registry that she holds no conflicts of interest regarding the assignment, paving the way for her immediate integration into the team.Strengthening the defense
The addition of Gibson comes at a critical juncture for the 81-year-old former leader, who has been held at the ICC Detention Center in The Hague for over 14 months following his arrest in March 2025.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his administration’s controversial anti-illegal drugs campaign.
With the Trial Chamber III pushing forward into active proceedings, legal analysts note that securing a defense team of Haynes and Gibson signals a heavily fortified strategy by the Duterte camp.
The duo will be tasked with navigating the complex international litigation process as the court reviews the evidentiary foundations of the prosecution’s case.
