Kaufman Clarifies: No Birthday Release Planned for Duterte

False Claims Circulate About Duterte’s ICC Release Date

No evidence supports recent claims that former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will be released from International Criminal Court (ICC) custody on his birthday, March 28, as allegedly confirmed by his legal counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.

The false information originated from a YouTube video posted on March 7 by a channel called “NEWS UPDATE FILES,” which has garnered over 7,000 views. The misleading title, written in Tagalog, announced: “Good news! [Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] will be freed! On his birthday! This March 28 already! Confirmed by Atty. Kaufman.”

The video features footage from Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at the ICC, specifically showing Kaufman speaking on February 26. However, a thorough review of Kaufman’s statements throughout the entire pre-trial proceedings reveals no mention of any March 28 release date or any imminent release whatsoever.

In fact, Duterte remains in ICC custody after a panel of five judges recently rejected his legal team’s latest appeal for temporary release. The former president is currently awaiting a decision on whether his case involving alleged crimes against humanity will proceed to a full trial.

The confirmation of charges hearing, which took place on February 23, 24, 26, and 27, serves a critical function in the ICC’s judicial process. Its purpose is to determine “whether or not there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the suspect committed each of the crimes charged.”

Following the conclusion of the pre-trial hearing on February 27, the ICC pre-trial chamber has entered its deliberation phase. The court is expected to announce its decision regarding the confirmation or denial of charges against Duterte within 60 days.

This false claim is not isolated but rather part of a pattern of misinformation surrounding Duterte’s ICC case. Fact-checking organization Rappler has previously debunked similar fabricated stories claiming that Duterte had already been released from ICC custody or that his case had been dismissed.

The spread of such misinformation highlights the challenges in public understanding of international legal proceedings, particularly in high-profile cases with significant political implications. The ICC case against Duterte centers on allegations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs policy during his presidency.

For accurate information about the case, observers should rely on official statements from the ICC or verified news sources rather than unsubstantiated claims circulating on social media and video-sharing platforms.

As the ICC deliberations continue, the outcome of this case remains significant for both Philippines’ domestic politics and international human rights standards. The court’s decision will determine whether Duterte will face a full trial for alleged crimes that garnered worldwide attention during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.