Former President Rodrigo Duterte is strengthening his legal defense as he prepares to face the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that international lawyer and ICC defense counsel Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, who has practiced in both the United Kingdom and Israel, will lead her father’s legal team. She added that she plans to meet Kaufman in person this weekend to finalize their legal strategy.

“We already have a lead counsel. We met with him yesterday, and we will meet again in person when he arrives this weekend,” the vice president told reporters outside the ICC detention center on Friday.

Kaufman will be supported by Duterte’s longtime legal allies, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Sara Duterte visited her father at the ICC detention center on Friday, shortly after his initial appearance before the ICC pre-trial chamber. She said the former president appeared well-rested and has been spending his time sleeping and watching television.During their conversation, Duterte urged his daughter to return to the Philippines as soon as possible.

She assured him that she would fly home once she meets with the legal team and another relative arrives to take her place in The Hague.“I just need the next of kin to come here. Everyone is currently applying for a visa,” she said.The former president appeared via video link before the ICC pre-trial chamber, where he was formally informed of the charges against him and his legal rights.

Medialdea, speaking in Duterte’s defense, condemned the arrest, calling it an “extrajudicial rendition” and stating, “

This is pure and simple kidnapping.”The ICC has scheduled a pre-trial hearing for September 23 to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a full trial.