Duterte's defense team persists in bid to disqualify ICC prosecutor

The defense team for former President Rodrigo Duterte is not withdrawing its bid to disqualify ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan from the proceedings.

Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman clarified that a previous statement suggesting the withdrawal was from an April filing when the defense was unaware of the full extent of Khan's past professional links.

Kaufman stated that the defense only became aware of Khan's undisclosed prior representations at the end of June.

He accused Khan of targeting Duterte and hiding material details about his former representation from the Court.

The defense now believes the presumption of prosecutorial regularity has been rebutted.

Former President Duterte was arrested in March 2025 on charges of crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs.