'A done deal'

SKETCHES

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

Those protest rallies and petitions before the Supreme Court notwithstanding, at this point it looks like the International Criminal Court will proceed with the trial of Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity.

The ICC has already acquired jurisdiction over the person of the former Philippine president. Several lawyers familiar with international law say the ICC generally disregards the manner by which a person wanted by the court is brought to its custody.

As Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla put it yesterday, "It's a done deal."

The lawyers also noted that the opening manifestation delivered by Duterte's current legal counsel, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea—which they described as out of order in an introductory hearing at the court—did not help Duterte win points with the ICC, with its dig at a "troubled legal institution" finding a "prize catch."

Perhaps with ICC-accredited Harry Roque joining the legal team, and with British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman hired as its head, Duterte's defense will be fully cognizant of ICC procedures.

As noted by the lawyers, Medialdea, who was allowed by the ICC to initially serve as Duterte's lead counsel, appeared unfamiliar with ICC procedures, which are different from ordinary courts especially in the Philippines.

But Medialdea is not an ICC-accredited lawyer. And maybe his remarks were directed not so much at ICC Judge Iulia Motoc, but at the audience in the Philippines.