Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Monday said he is not optimistic that former President Rodrigo Duterte will win his case before the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying a favorable outcome could only happen if the tribunal is abolished first.
Panelo made the statement during an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s At The Forefront with lawyer Karen Jimeno.
Panelo was asked about the new lawyers hired to defend Duterte, who is detained at the ICC detention facility in The Hague over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
Panelo described the new defense lawyers as capable by citing the lead counsel’s litigation experience and track record.
“Maganda record nun. He’s a litigation lawyer,” Panelo said.
Asked if he was optimistic about Duterte’s chances before the ICC, Panelo said he was not.
“Hindi ako optimistic, talagang niyayari nila si Presidente Duterte,” he said.
Panelo maintained that Duterte should be acquitted if the case were decided solely on the evidence.
“Kung ebidensya lang pag-uusapan, maabsuwelto,” he said.
Panelo, however, questioned the ICC’s jurisdiction over Duterte’s case and criticized the evidence presented against the former president.
“Mukhang hindi naman ebidensya pinag-uusapan,” Panelo said.
“Unang-una wala nga silang jurisdiction, they went ahead. Doon lang patay na,” he added.
Panelo also described the evidence cited against Duterte as hearsay and based on statements he characterized as exaggerated.
“Tapos mga ebidensya nila, hearsay, double speeches, mga hyperbolist remarks, wala yan,” he said.
Asked again whether he expected the case to end in Duterte’s favor, Panelo said this would only be possible if the ICC is abolished first.
“Unless na mauna yung abolition nila because of (US President) Trump’s fierce opposition and campaign for its abolition,” Panelo said.
Duterte has been detained in The Hague since his arrest and hand over to the ICC in March 2025.
The ICC is pursuing allegations of crimes against humanity arising from killings linked to his anti-drug campaign.#