Roque denies meddling in Duterte's ICC case

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque denied interfering in former President Rodrigo Duterte's International Criminal Court (ICC) case, stating his support for Duterte's legal defense was out of loyalty.

Lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman, however, called Roque an "irrelevancy" in the case, expressing regret for having to deal with Roque's "comical intrigues."

Kaufman clarified that there are no internal disputes within Duterte's defense team.

Roque had reportedly planned to sue the Dutch government for Duterte's rendition, a move Kaufman warned could jeopardize cooperation needed for Duterte's interim release.

Kaufman emphasized that Roque has no authority to take such steps and that Vice President Sara Duterte was aware of Roque's proposal.