Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Dad Rodrigo’s ICC Lawyer
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President affirmed her confidence on the British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, the counsel of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
Recently, the lawyer of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sparked headlines after his claims about Duterte’s former spokesman Harry Roque. Nicholas Kaufman claimed that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte allegedly wants Harry Roque to stop meddling in his ICC case and to return to the Philippines. He also claimed that a Dutch lawyer allegedly told him that Roque allegedly plans to sue the Dutch government over Duterte’s detention.
According to Kaufman, Duterte nor any of the people close to the former President allegedly has no interest to have Roque as a lawyer nor be assisted by him. The British-Israeli lawyer also did not hesitate to describe Duterte’s former spokesman as a “fugitive from justice in the Philippines”. His claims came after Roque’s previous persistent pursuit to be part of the ICC legal team of his former boss.
However, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, also recently called out lawyer Nicholas Kaufman expressing her hope that he will not deprive them of seeking other legal opinions nor asking other lawyers. The long-time partner of the former President was suspended from visiting him inside the ICC detention facility due to an alleged phone conversation with him about legal matters.
Recently, amid the recent headlines about the ICC lawyer of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte affirmed her confidence on the British-Israeli counsel of her father. Based on a report on GMA News, the Vice President stressed that Kaufman is the choice of her father.
“Of course, yes, oo, kasi siya yung pinili ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na lawyer so we only follow kung ano yung choice ng client,” the Vice President said.
Furthermore, based on the report, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte stressed that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is the client and the professional arrangement is between him and his ICC lawyer. According to her, they will follow the order of her father.
“As long as nagsabi si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na yan ang aking mga abogado, susunod kami and mag-cooperate kami kung ano kailangan,” the younger Duterte said.
Previously, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC lawyer confirmed her past ties with former First Lady Imelda Marcos. However, he also clarified that the former President is aware of it.