Duterte Lawyer Slams ICC Over Unauthorized Medical Report, Calls Process Unethical

Nicholas Kaufman, counsel for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has raised serious objections to the handling of a medical report by officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Centre, calling the process “ethically questionable” and lacking due transparency.

In a document released by the ICC on October 9, 2025, Kaufman expressed concern over the “Report on the Assessment by the Medical Officer of the Detention Centre,” noting that he was only allowed to view the so-called “Factual Report” briefly before it was taken back by detention authorities. He said he was not permitted to keep a copy nor shown any written consent authorizing the release of his client’s personal medical information.

Kaufman also alleged that Duterte confided to him that he had been intimidated by an individual whose identity was redacted from the report. He further questioned the authenticity of the “informed written consent” cited by the ICC, insisting that it was invalid and obtained under questionable circumstances.

“The validity of the so-called informed written ‘consent’ [REDACTED] claims to have received from Mr. Duterte is strenuously disputed,” Kaufman wrote, stressing that the individual involved allegedly suffers from cognitive impairment and had acted on behalf of the Pre-Trial Chamber—an arrangement he deemed “unprecedented and ethically improper.”

The defense lawyer said he had repeatedly notified the ICC Registry of Duterte’s medical condition, the specifics of which were redacted, but claimed his communications were ignored. Instead, he said, the Registry issued a unilateral reprimand, disregarding his earlier concerns.

Kaufman’s statement adds a new layer of controversy to the ongoing ICC proceedings against the former Philippine leader, who remains detained pending developments in the court’s investigation.