Duterte Reorganizes ICC Defense Team Ahead of Trial

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is reorganizing his legal defense team at the International Criminal Court ahead of trial proceedings in his crimes against humanity case, as lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman requested permission to withdraw and associate counsel Dov Jacobs received approval to step down.

Kaufman, a British-Israeli lawyer, filed the public request with Trial Chamber III on May 8, 2026, stating that his one-year engagement as Duterte's counsel had terminated on March 31, 2026. In the filing, he noted that the defense team visited Duterte on May 7, during which the former president released him from representation and expressed a desire to appoint replacement counsel. The identity of the new lawyer, described as male with extensive ICC experience, was redacted in the public document, but Kaufman confirmed the individual had agreed to assume immediate representation and attend the next status conference on May 27.

Kaufman assured the court that the transition would be orderly, with procedural deadlines already communicated to the incoming counsel and the existing defense team prepared to maintain continuity. "I am convinced that the continuity and efficacy...