(UPDATE) FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte’s lead counsel has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) that his client be allowed to return home to face any judicial process “with dignity,” citing his deteriorating health.

Lawyer seeks Duterte's return to Philippines, cites 'deteriorating health'

In a statement issued Tuesday, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said Duterte has been struggling with a “progressively deteriorating medical situation” since his “precipitous and traumatic rendition” to The Hague, impairing his ability to absorb evidence and instruct counsel.

He said the plea for postponement of his confirmation of charges hearing was supported by medical experts, including one not selected by the defense.

Lawyer seeks Duterte's return to Philippines, cites 'deteriorating health'

“Out of respect for the former president’s legacy, the defense would not raise such a plea were it not supported by leading medical experts,” Kaufman said, adding that Duterte’s age and detention conditions had “taken their toll” despite his good spirits. He did not specify in what way the former president’s health had deteriorated.

Kaufman argued that Manila had “outsourced its obligation” to provide Duterte with a fair trial and should now “let him return home to face whatever judicial process necessary, if at all, with dignity.”, This news data comes from:http://www.xs888999.com

The statement followed ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision on Sept. 8 to vacate the Sept. 23 hearing date, ruling by majority that proceedings would be adjourned only as long as strictly necessary to resolve whether Duterte is fit to stand trial.

Presiding Judge Iulia Antonnella Motoc and Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou formed the majority, while Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera dissented, arguing that the request should have been rejected outright and that fitness issues fall under the Trial Chamber’s jurisdiction.

The prosecution and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims had opposed an indefinite delay but accepted a short postponement. The Chamber nonetheless directed the prosecution to submit redacted versions of the Document Containing the Charges and the Pre-Confirmation Brief by Sept. 22.

Kaufman also criticized Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla after the latter publicly identified retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office official Royina Garma as a potential ICC witness against Duterte.

“For reasons, most certainly not innocent, Secretary of Justice Remulla seems to feel entitled to broadcast, to the entire world, the ICC Prosecution’s proposed witnesses, purported places of interview and working methodology,” Kaufman said.

“The defense is forbidden from commenting on prosecution evidence and witnesses in the media. Indeed, had the defense acted in a fashion similar to that of Justice Secretary Remulla, it would have been accused of perverting the course of justice.”

He dismissed Garma’s possible testimony as a “political move” against Duterte, saying Remulla’s remarks reinforced the defense’s position that “international justice and its organs for Mr. Remulla are merely tools to be used to serve a political end.”

Remulla earlier said Garma was mentioned by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in a private conversation and claimed she had agreed to testify. Garma was deported from the United States on Saturday after her asylum bid was denied. She faces a murder complaint in the Philippines over the 2020 killing of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

During a House inquiry, Garma had testified that Duterte asked her to recruit an officer to expand the so-called “Davao model” of the drug war nationwide, a system she described as involving tiered payments and rewards, including cash for killings of suspects.