VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte confirmed that Nicholas Kaufman will stand as the lead counsel for Former President Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to the roll of counsel registered with the ICC, Kaufman is a British and Israeli national.

He served as legal counsel for former militia leader of the Central African Republic, Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom, who also faced the ICC.
He also served as a lawyer for Aisha Gaddafi, the daughter of Muammar Gaddafi of Libya.
Aside from Kaufman, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque are also part of Former President Duterte’s legal team.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has set the confirmation of charges hearing for former President Rodrigo Duterte on Sept. 23, 2025.
On the other hand, hundreds of Filipinos gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila, on Saturday, March 15 to support former president Rodrigo Duterte.
A support rally for former President Rodrigo Duterte took place at Karl-Platz in Berlin, Germany, just outside the Philippine Embassy. This marks the first rally of its kind held in Germany.
Supporters also of the former president conducted a rally in Finland, and in Israel. They are calling for Duterte’s return to the Philippines from the International Criminal Court’s custody.