MANILA, July 19, 2025 — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to postpone its decision on his request for temporary release, citing ongoing efforts to obtain key evidence and expert assessments needed to support the motion.
In a request filed before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on July 18, Duterte’s lawyers, led by attorney Nicholas Kaufman, said they are still waiting on critical information from an undisclosed source and seeking authorization for an independent expert evaluation related to the case.
The defense team argued that their attempts have been hindered by delays and lack of cooperation, which they say impairs their ability to effectively challenge the prosecution’s allegations.
“A crucial report remains unfinished after our expert was temporarily blocked from conducting an independent assessment,” the defense said in the filing, adding that this has prevented them from fully contesting what they describe as an “incomplete and prejudicial” claim made by prosecutors.
They urged the Pre-Trial Chamber to either compel or strongly encourage the completion of these assessments before ruling on the interim release request. Duterte’s legal team stressed that ICC guidelines typically encourage decisions on such applications within 30 days. The motion for interim release was originally filed on June 12.
Duterte is currently in ICC custody as he faces charges of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, in connection with his administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign. The Philippine government has admitted to over 7,000 deaths during anti-drug operations, which authorities previously said occurred when suspects violently resisted arrest.
Prosecution: Defense Filed Motion Knowing Evidence Was Incomplete
In response, ICC prosecutors urged the court to reject the defense’s appeal to delay the decision. They argued that Duterte’s legal team knowingly filed the motion for interim release without sufficient evidence to support their arguments.
“The defense cannot ask the court to delay its ruling on the hope that they may eventually submit more materials,” the prosecution said, asserting that the gaps in the defense’s submission were already acknowledged in the initial filing.
They also dismissed claims that the missing information is critical, calling such arguments speculative. “The defense is not being prejudiced by this situation — it is a consequence of their own premature filing,” the prosecution added.
However, the prosecution acknowledged that Duterte’s camp could renew their request at a later time if new developments or evidence become available.
Vice President Sara Duterte: “One Day at a Time”
Speaking from The Hague, Netherlands, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed hope that her father will be granted temporary release and that the ICC case against him will eventually be dismissed.
“Let’s take it one day at a time,” she said when asked whether the former president is expected to return to the Philippines soon. “Right now, we’re hoping for dismissal of the case based on jurisdiction issues, and that he be granted interim release while the lawyers and prosecutors argue in court.”
She also noted that attorney Kaufman has been asked to make himself available to Philippine media to address questions about the case.
With the Pre-Trial Chamber set to confirm charges by September, Duterte’s legal and political future remains uncertain as the ICC proceedings move forward.
