14/05/2025
Former president Rodrigo Duterte has been “notified of his landslide victory and the electoral successes of his family,” lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman tells The Philippine Star.
“He was overjoyed and informed his legal team of his extreme gratitude to those who have supported him throughout the years. He told his lawyers of his never ending commitment to public service as a loyal servant of the people of the Philippines,” Kaufman said.
“As a person who is totally innocent until proven otherwise there should be no impediment under law for him to exercise or assume any civic right,” he added.
Duterte, currently detained in The Hague, decisively won in his comeback bid to become Davao City’s mayor.
It remains unclear what will be the process for him to take his oath, as well as the possible work arrangements should he remain in detention when his term begins on June 30.
Duterte’s defense team is currently challenging ICC’s jurisdiction and has urged the international tribunal to order his immediate and unconditional release. | via Janvic Mateo