Nicholas Kaufman’s ‘Cognitive Impairment’ Claim doubted by ICC Lawyer Joel Butuyan
ICC lawyer Joel Butuyan pointed out that the statements of the members of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s family opposed his lawyer’s claim that he is allegedly suffering from ‘cognitive impairment’.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands since March. Recently, Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lawyer, expressed his hope that the Marcos administration will allow the former President’s return to the Philippines for his interim release. It was in August when the former President’s camp renewed their application for his interim release.
The statement of Kaufman came after the ICC decided to postpone the confirmation of charges hearing of Duterte. The former President is faced with an allegation of crimes against humanity. The ruling of the foreign court came after his lawyer claimed that he is allegedly “not fit to stand trial”.
Just a few days after the said ruling, Duterte’s lawyer requested the ICC to adjourn all legal proceedings indefinitely. According to him, his client is allegedly suffering from ‘cognitive impairment’.
Kaufman further claimed that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is allegedly unable to recall events, places, or even members of his close family. According to the British-Israeli Lawyer of the former President, even with a medical intervention, his client’s cognitive condition will supposedly remain static or deteriorate further.
However, an ICC lawyer has doubts on the claims of Nicholas Kaufman over former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, ICC-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan recalled the previous statements of the Duterte family about the former President and pointed out their opposition to the claim of the British-Israeli lawyer that the former President is supposedly suffering a ‘cognitive impairment’.
“Ang pinakamabigat na evidence is ‘yung behavioral evidence ni Mr. Duterte. And makikita natin ito sa mga kamag-anak na bumibisita sa kaniya. Ilang beses na nagpa-interview ‘yung mga anak niya na sinasabi nila na okay si Mr. Duterte at nagjo-joke pa nga sila. Pinag-uusapan nila ang past, present at future. Sinabi niyang wala siyang regret sa ginawa niya and he is willing to face whatever the consequences are,” Butuyan said.
The ICC Lawyer further claimed that the remarks of the Duterte family members are allegedly heavy evidence that the former President is aware of what is happening and what he has done. Based on the report, Butuyan emphasized that the statements attesting the mental fitness of the former President came from Duterte’s children themselves.
“Tingin ko malakas na ebidensya ‘yan kasi nanggagaling ‘yan sa mga tao na kung sasabihin natin na dapat pinaka-bias in favor of the former President dahil sarili niyang mga anak na ito, and the fact that they are practically attesting to the mental fitness to their father. It trumps yung mental findings ng mga doktor,” the ICC Lawyer said.
Atty. Joel Butuyan said it is “normal” for an 80-year-old person like Duterte to suffer from cognitive impairment or mental decline. According to him, the question is if the said condition really affects a person’s fitness to undergo trial.
For several months, the Duterte siblings have taken turns in visiting former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte inside the ICC detention facility. It was only recently when all four (4) Duterte siblings were able to visit their dad which seemed like a reunion. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that it was really their father’s request and he’s very happy.
However, a few days after the said visit, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that the ICC reminded them of the conditions which prevent them from disclosing information during their visits to the former President. Recently, an ICC prosecutor opposed the interim release plea of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte anew.