Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, legal counsel of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has responded to remarks made by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro regarding his role in Duterte’s case before the International Criminal Court (ICC), which concerns allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the Philippine government’s war on drugs.

In a recent interview, Kaufman advised Castro not to interfere with his professional duties.

“I’d kindly thank Claire Castro not to interfere with the job I’m doing, just as much as I wouldn’t interfere with the job that she’s doing,” Kaufman said. “All I can say is that she seems to have a rather unhealthy obsession with me,” he added.

On 27 June, Kaufman filed a motion before ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, seeking permission to respond to the Office of the Prosecutor’s (OTP) comments regarding his earlier request for Duterte’s interim release. He stated that the defense intends to submit an official report from the Philippine Senate to counter what he called “factual gossip” presented by the prosecution.

Meanwhile, in a press briefing on 8 July, Castro criticized Kaufman, questioning the legal fees he is allegedly charging his client.

“He should do better than that. He should concentrate on his defenses. He should focus on the allegations against the former President — that he ordered the killings of some people in relation to the war on drugs,” Castro said.

“He should improve his research on the facts so he won't get lost,” Castro added in Filipino.

In response, Kaufman clarified that it is within his responsibility as legal counsel to determine which arguments or evidence benefit or harm the defense’s case.

“I don’t think that the Senate panel report can have a negative impact on the case. It’s my job to decide what has a positive or negative impact. I believe the Senate report reflects the sentiments of the people. It helps our case — especially regarding the request for interim release, where the prosecution argues that Duterte’s transfer to The Hague was lawful. We maintain that it was unlawful,” he explained.