Duterte camp, prosecution clash over FPRRD's bid for interim release

The legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to suspend its adjudication on its application for his interim release, citing the need to submit additional information.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO

But the prosecution has objected to this request.

In two documents uploaded separately on the ICC website, with the defense’s request dated July 14 and the prosecution’s request dated July 18, the two sides clashed over the interim release application that the defense has made last month.

Signed by lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman, the defense formally requested that the Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I) suspend its adjudication on Duterte’s interim release application because it plans to submit pertinent information relevant to its decision to grant the former president interim release.

“The Chamber, so it is submitted, should be in possession of all relevant materials, including [REDACTED], before making its first crucial determination on interim release,” the document read.

Specific details of the document were withheld or redacted because of confidentiality.