The legal team representing former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has taken a decisive step to halt the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings against him. Lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman has formally submitted a motion seeking the dismissal of the case, arguing that the court has no jurisdiction over Duterte.
Kaufman asserts that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019 effectively nullifies the court’s authority to prosecute Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity. He contends that any case against the former leader should be dismissed outright, as the ICC’s jurisdiction is confined to actions committed while the Philippines was still a member of the tribunal.
The ICC had previously authorized an investigation into Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, which led to thousands of deaths and allegations of human rights violations. However, Kaufman is hopeful that the motion will convince ICC judges to drop the case before it proceeds to trial.
Legal experts remain divided on whether the ICC still has the authority to pursue Duterte, as the court has ruled in previous cases that withdrawal does not exempt states from accountability for crimes committed while they were members. The outcome of Kaufman’s motion will be a crucial turning point in the long-standing legal battle surrounding Duterte’s controversial presidency.
