Kaufman withdraws appeal on failed disqualification bid vs lawyersNicholas Kaufman, lead defense counsel for former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court, is banking on the popular defense that his administration used against his critics: there was no criminal intent on February 23, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The defense counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn his bid to appeal his failed disqualification request against Filipino lawyers representing victims in the crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman filed on March 16 a three-page notice of withdrawal of his request for “leave to appeal” an earlier decision of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I. In its Feb. 20 decision, the pre-trial chamber said Kaufman failed to substantiate his request for the disqualification of the three lawyers. Kaufman immediately filed a request for leave to appeal that, if granted, would have allowed him to elevate the matter to the ICC Appeals Chamber.

Source: Philippine Star March 17, 2026 16:33 UTC