Pormal na ring nag-withdraw ang Associate Counsel ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa International Criminal Court (ICC) na si Dr. Dov Jacobs.
Matatandaang nauna na ring kumalat sa mga ulat ang pagbibitiw ng Lead Defense Counsel ni FPRRD na si Atty. Nicholas Kaufman noong Mayo 8, 2026, kaugnay sa kinakaharap na mga kasong paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng dating Pangulo sa War on Drugs noon.
“In light of the aforementioned, in accordance with Regulation 78(1) of the Regulations of the Court, I hereby respectfully request leave to withdraw as counsel for Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the case of the Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” saad ni Kaufman sa isinumite niyang dokumento sa ICC.
Ayon naman sa isinumiteng dokumento ni Jacobs sa ICC na nakapetsa rin noong Mayo 8, mababasang pormal siyang humiling sa ICC sa pag-alis niya bilang Associate Counsel ni FPRRD.
Ani Jacobs, nakarating daw sa kaniya na planong magbago ng Defence team si FPRRD at hindi naman daw maapektuhan ang pagpapatuloy na paggulong ng kasong kinakaharap ng dating Pangulo sa ICC.
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“This Request is submitted at the request of Lead Counsel who has informed me that Mr Duterte has expressed an interest in reorganising his Defence team for the trial phase,” aniya.
Dagdag pa niya, “My withdrawal will not affect the continuity of Mr Duterte’s representation which remains assured through Lead Counsel and the existing defence team.”
Abril 7, 2025, nang opisyal na tumayo bilang Associate Counsel ni FPRRD si Jacobs.
Samantala, agad naman nagdesisyon ang Trial Chamber III ng ICC noon ding Mayo 8 at tinanggap nila ang isinumiteng kahilingan ni Jacobs.
“The Chamber reminds Mr Jacobs of his continuing obligations under the Code of Professional Conduct for counsel, as well as any confidentiality obligations under the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. The Chamber appreciates the assurances made by Mr Jacobs in this regard,” anang ICC.
Samantala, habang sinusulat ito, wala pa namang inilalabas na pahayag o reaksyon ang kampo at pamilya ni FPRRD kaugnay rito.
