ICC prosecution seeks to publicize redacted information on Duterte's defense team
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court has requested to reclassify a defense response in Rodrigo Duterte's case, in which it redacted the names of six Filipino lawyers which it said are not members of the former president's defense team.
Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said that the prosecution sought clarification regarding Duterte's defense counsel, as statements and actions "created the impression" that Salvador Medialdea, Salvador Panelo, Martin Delgra, Silvestre Bello, Alfredo Lim, and Cesar Dulay are members of the detained former leader's defense team.
The defense filed a response "affirming, confirming, assuring, and guaranteeing" that the six lawyers are "not members of Mr. Duterte's defense team in this case." However, the public redacted version of the response withheld the Pinoy lawyers' names.
Duterte's camp argued that the redaction was made to "protect the dignity of those lawyers and does not impact on anything of concern, unless of course, it is your intent to humiliate them." It added that the prosecution's request for clarification was "wholly incorrect and unwarranted."
Niang argued that there's no explanation given to "why the truth (that they are not part of Mr. Duterte's defense team) being public would in some way be humiliating or compromise their dignity."
"While the principle of publicity is not absolute, it should not be departed from to allegedly preserve the self-image of six individuals who the defense has 'affirm[ed], confirm[ed], assur[ed], and guarante[ed]' are unrelated to this case," he continued.
"It is necesary that this information is made public in order to assuage fears of potential witnesses and victims and to ensure there is no chilling effect on the Prosecution's investigations."
Niang further noted that the six lawyers are closely connected to Duterte.
Judges at the ICC on April 23 confirmed all three counts of murder as crimes against humanity against Duterte.
His case will be transferred to an ICC Trial Chamber. The ICC presidency will determine which judges will constitute the chamber.
