Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s camp has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to disqualify three lawyers representing drug war victims, citing alleged conflict of interest.
Defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman urged the Pre-Trial Chamber to revoke the appointments of Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres, and case manager Nicolene Arcaina as common legal representatives, saying victims can instead be represented by the Office of Public Counsel for Victims.
Kaufman questioned Arcaina’s past professional ties with Butuyan and Andres at CenterLaw and claimed her current designation conflicts with another undisclosed role, calling the positions “structurally incompatible.”
He also argued that the links create an appearance of bias and may affect fairness, as victims’ counsel and the prosecution have different mandates.
The Pre-Trial Chamber had earlier rejected the defense’s objections and upheld the lawyers’ appointment, finding no improper conduct.IMT
