Requests to disqualify victims’ lawyers undermine legitimacy of charges vs Duterte
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
February 15, 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
Requests to disqualify victims’ lawyers undermine legitimacy of charges vs Duterte
Rights group Karapatan said that the request of Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team to disqualify the three lawyers representing the victims is an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the charges brought to the International Criminal Court.
“The request by Duterte’s defense to remove Filipino lawyers Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres, and Nicole Arcaina from representing victims of the drug war at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is strategically timed to attempt to obstruct the proceedings and distract the public on the legitimate basis of the charges against Duterte ,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.
Palabay emphasized that claims that the “lawyers’ prior associations with certain government entities in the Philippines,” and that their “access to evidence may be structurally incompatible with their roles” are unfounded, and are intended to stall the confirmation of charges hearing, which is already set on February 23.
“This move is a textbook distraction tactic,” said Palabay. “This latest attempt by Duterte’s defense to disqualify the lawyers shows the impunity he continues to enjoy. Even now, facing international scrutiny, he seeks to manipulate legal processes to evade accountability,” she added.
“We reiterate that Duterte should be held accountable for the extrajudicial killings and other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed under the Duterte regime. We stand firmly with the victims and their families, as well the lawyers that represent them,” ended Palabay. “Any other delays to justice should be thrown to the bin.”
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publi...@karapatan.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District
KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.