Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro criticized Atty. Harry Kaufman over what she described as misleading statements regarding the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Atty. Kaufman appears to have mastered the art of twisting some facts,” Castro said, following Kaufman’s communication to the ICC claiming that the Philippine government does not oppose Duterte’s request for interim release.
It will be recalled that Kaufman also stated the ICC prosecutor had no objection to Duterte’s request for temporary release. This was later disproven when the prosecutor submitted an official opposition, exposing Kaufman’s claim as false.
“He had done this action before when he asserted that the ICC prosecutor had no objection with former President Duterte’s request for an interim release. However, after the ICC prosecutor filed an opposition, it was revealed to be his false allegations,” Castro explained.
Castro reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has no involvement in Duterte’s ongoing proceedings before the ICC.
“Again with emphasis… we want to be clear that the Marcos Jr. administration is not privy and has no hand in the former President Duterte’s ongoing trial before ICC, particularly his request for interim release,” she said.
Despite the controversy, Castro assured that the government will respect whatever decision the ICC makes.
“However, as part of the legal process, no matter what the ICC decides, we will still respect it,” she added. (ZIA LUNA)