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Bong Go appeals for prayers for FPRRD at 81

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go appealed for prayers for former President Rodrigo Duterte during Duterte’s 81st birthday celebration in Davao City on Saturday, March 28.

“More than a father to me” was how Go remembered FPRRD during the event at San Pedro Square to conclude the “Solidarity Walk” attended by thousands of Duterte supporters.

“Pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo, ipagdasal po natin si Tatay Digong. Huwag tayong tumigil sa pagdasal sa kanyang kaligtasan, kalusugan, at kalayaan,” Go told supporters.

Go said the 81st birthday of FPRRD is one of the “loneliest” birthdays for the president as he is in a foreign country, celebrating it alone.

This is the second birthday of FPRRD since he was arrested on March 11, 2025, and brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on the same day.

It can be noted that Duterte supporters also staged a “Rody at 80: Global Filipino Solidarity” at Roxas Avenue, which gathered an estimated 200,000 crowd.

“Nakakalungkot lang po. Isa ito sa pinakamalungkot na birthday; napalayo po sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

This year’s “Solidarity Walk” was from Roxas Avenue, passing through CM Recto, and concluded in San Pedro Square.

While the crowd was much smaller this time, the Square was flooded with green colored shirts and banners bearing “Bring Him Home” and “Happy 81st birthday FRRD.” 

The confirmation of charges hearing took place from Feb.  23 to 27, 2026, and after hearing the oral submissions of the Prosecutor, the Common Legal Representatives of the Victims and the Defence, the judges heard their respective closing statements. 

The confirmation of charges is to determine whether “there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed the crimes he or she is suspected of.”

The Chamber will issue its decision on the confirmation of charges within 60 days after the Feb. 27 confirmation hearing. If such charges are confirmed, totally or partly, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber.

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Duterte defense team fires back at ICC prosecution over ‘unnecessary’ confidentiality concerns

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE DEFENSE team for former President Rodrigo Duterte dismissed concerns from the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution regarding the handling of confidential information, labeling the prosecution’s request as “unnecessary.”

The filing on March 26, authored by defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, addressed a “peculiar” request for clarification from the prosecution concerning the role of certain individuals (whose names remain redacted) in the case.

In the document, Kaufman issued a series of formal “guarantees” to the Pre-Trial Chamber, asserting that the individuals in question have no access to the inner workings of the defense’s legal strategy. 

Specifically, Kaufman confirmed that these individuals have not and will not receive any official disclosure in the case, do not have access to non-public filings, and are not entitled to legally privileged meetings or communications with Duterte inside the Detention Center.

Kaufman criticized what he described as an “implied suggestion” or “insinuation” by the prosecution that the defense might be violating Article 8 of the Code of Professional Conduct.

Kaufman rejected the “insinuation” of misconduct, reminding the senior trial lawyer for the prosecution not to believe everything he reads in the papers.”

Kaufman added a caveat to that advice: “…unless, of course, it relates to Mr. Duterte’s innocence.”

The case, officially titled The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, continues to move through the Pre-Trial stage at the ICC, with this latest exchange highlighting the increasingly friction-filled relationship between the prosecution and the former president’s legal representatives.

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Duterte lawyers cite ‘severe cognitive impairment’ in challenging ICC detention

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE LEGAL team for former President Rodrigo Duterte has formally filed an appeal brief with the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber, demanding his immediate conditional release due to what they describe as deteriorating physical and neurological health.

The appeal, led by defense counsel Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, argues that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber committed “serious legal and factual errors” by refusing to consider new medical evidence that could undermine the original justification for his pre-trial detention.

The “changed circumstances” argument

Under Article 60(3) of the Rome Statute, the Court is required to periodically review detention and reassess its necessity if circumstances change. 

The Defense maintains that a new, comprehensive medical report prepared by a neurologist and a neuropsychologist constitutes such a change.

The report concludes that Duterte suffers from significant cognitive and neurological impairments, particularly in executive functioning and decision-making.

According to the filing, these impairments, combined with his physical condition, render him “incapable of fleeing, interfering with witnesses or proceedings, or committing further crimes”.

Defense alleges procedural unfairness

The brief takes aim at the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision to reject the defense-submitted medical report while accepting reports from a court-appointed panel. 

The Defense argues this creates a lack of “equality of arms” and violates ICC jurisprudence, which states evidence should be judged on its probative value rather than its source.

“By ignoring this evidence, the Pre-Trial Chamber rendered the detention review meaningless,” the Defense stated, arguing that health is the only dynamic factor in the case since the gravity of the charges remains static.

The request for release

The Defense is now asking the Appeals Chamber to reverse the previous decision to maintain detention, and order the immediate conditional release of Mr. Duterte to a cooperating State Party.

The Appeals Chamber’s decision will be a critical turning point in the proceedings, determining whether the former leader will remain in custody throughout the duration of his trial.

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Duterte’s ICC counsel cites legal errors as he appeals interim release decision

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

LAWYER Nicholas Kaufman cited what he described as “big erroneous” errors of law and fact in challenging the court’s ruling to deny the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte 

In a recent interview with Alvin & Tourism, Kaufman confirmed that the defense team has identified several alleged legal and factual errors in the initial ruling regarding Duterte’s temporary release.

“The decision is big erroneous—in using legal-ese, that is a term that we had to use if we begin to make an appeal, because appeals are decided on the basis of the errors of law and errors of fact,” Kaufman explained.

“We filed a brief in which we give our reasons for these alleged errors,” he said, adding that he could not detail the specific errors as the document was filed confidentially.

Focus on conditions of release

When pressed on whether the court chamber failed to consider key evidence, Kaufman indicated that the stringent conditions of release offered by the defense were a central point of the appeal.

“I’ve raised a number of issues on appeal, one of which is the failure to properly consider the very stringent conditions of release which will be offered by a state party,” he stated. “We believe that the Pre-Trial Chamber should have taken these things under consideration, and we should have had a way to address them. We believe that was an error.”

Kaufman acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting, “I have to convince them now on appeal that the former president should be released.”

On public comments and timeline

Addressing public comments made regarding the case, Kaufman suggested that some statements made by the Vice President were clearly made “in jest.”

“They want to comment, but some of the statements that were made by the vice president were clearly made in jest. Let’s be real about this… It was just a joke, just like somebody else,” he commented.

Regarding the timeline for a ruling on the interim release appeal, Kaufman expressed hope for a swift decision, emphasizing the fundamental nature of the issue.

“Interim release is a fundamental right, and it should be decided speedily, expeditiously,” he said. “I anticipate that once the Pre-Trial Chamber has received all submissions, the prosecution will have to respond to the appeal, and also the victims will be given the opportunity to respond to the appeal—I anticipate that the decision should be rendered within a month.”

Screengrab photo from Alvin & Tourism Facebook page

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Brain fog

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron
  • Duterte’s legal team seeks indefinite adjournment of ICC case for ‘cognitive impairment’

THE LEGAL team of former President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to indefinitely adjourn all legal proceedings against him, citing his “cognitive impairment,” which makes him unfit to stand trial.

In a 13-page submission dated Sept. 11, 2025, lead counsel Atty Nicholas Kaufman argued that the 80-year-old former leader’s condition “will not improve,” and therefore a permanent adjournment is necessary. 

This request follows a limited postponement of his confirmation of charges hearing, which the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I granted on September 8 to assess his fitness to participate in the proceedings.

Kaufman stated that extensive medical and psychological evaluations, conducted not only by defense experts but also by a neuropsychologist appointed by the ICC’s own Detention Center Medical Officer, have been furnished to the court. 

According to the filing, these findings “lead to the overwhelming conclusion that Mr. Duterte suffers from significant cognitive deficiencies that affect his memory, his daily executive functioning, his visuo-constructive abilities, and his orientation to place and time.”

The defense counsel asserted that Duterte’s impaired memory and inability to retain new information render him unable to fully understand the nature of the proceedings or make informed decisions, which are essential for him to benefit from a fair trial.

 “Mr. Duterte is unable to contribute to his own defense, rendering his participation in the proceedings totally ineffective,” Kaufman said.

The submission also revealed that the former president underwent a CT scan in May, followed by a head MRI and a neuro-psychological evaluation, all of which contributed to the diagnosis.

In a separate appeal, Kaufman has also asked the Marcos administration to allow Duterte to return to the Philippines to face charges in his home country, rather than at the ICC where he is currently detained.

Lawyers seek ICC host state’s view on possible interim release

Meanwhile, the defense team requested the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber to invite the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the court’s host state, to consider a role if the interim release is granted.

In a recent legal submission, the defense cited Regulation 51 of the Court’s regulations, emphasizing that the request is made “in the interest of justice and due process.”

The filing specified several key commitments from the former president, including assurances that he would not seek asylum in the Netherlands or any other location.

 It also stated that he would not attempt to transfer to another country without the Court’s authorization and would personally shoulder any costs related to the enforcement of his release.

The request was filed as the Court continues its proceedings concerning allegations of crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs.” 

The Pre-Trial Chamber has not yet issued a decision regarding the interim release petition.

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Duterte’s legal counsel urges respect for the ICC process amid allegations of witness tampering

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

LAWYER Nicholas Kaufman, legal counsel for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, called on the Filipino public to “respect the judicial process” concerning his client’s case before the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

Kaufman also addressed recent allegations of witness intimidation and judicial interference, firmly denying them and vowing to investigate claims of sponsored witnesses.

In a statement when asked about his message to the Filipino people regarding the ICC proceedings on Monday, June 30, 2025, Kaufman emphasized, “Respect the judicial process. A lot of gossip, a lot of allegations have been made, especially by people like Attorney Kristina Conti, that the supporters of former president Duterte are threatening witnesses, trolling judges. That is simply not true. Just respect the judicial process.”

Kaufman’s remarks come amidst heightened scrutiny and public discourse surrounding the ICC’s jurisdiction over Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity.

Atty. Kristina Conti, who represents some of the victims in the drug war, has previously voiced concerns about potential interference with witnesses should Duterte be granted interim release.

Responding to reports that the Department of Justice (DOJ) might be “sponsoring” witnesses to testify against the former president at The Hague, Kaufman expressed a need for further inquiry. 

“Sponsoring witnesses to collaborate? Or encouraging witnesses to cooperate? I don’t know,” he said.

He further added, “Will investigate that matter and if it’s true, we will cross-examine those witnesses in court and these allegations will be put to them.”

The ICC’s pre-trial chamber is currently handling the case against the former president, with a confirmation of charges hearing provisionally scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025. 

The legal proceedings continue to draw significant attention both in the Philippines and internationally.

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