Former Duterte cabinet officials Salvador Panelo and Harry Roque. ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte himself might have rejected lawyer Harry Roque’s offer to his lawyer at the International Criminal Court, Salvador Panelo said on Thursday. 

Medialdea, Roque will not be part of Duterte's legal team, says VP Sara

The Dutertes earlier decided to stick with their decision to have British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman as their lead counsel.

Kaufman visits Duterte at ICC detention center to discuss case

“Alam niyo, kahit [sinong] abugado gusto, pero kung ayaw naman ng principal, kung ayaw sa’yo, bakit mo ipipilit ang sarili mo? Ang mahalaga doon, kung sino ang gusto ng kliyente. Pero kung ayaw ng kliyente, bakit ipipilit?” Panelo told reporters during a forum in Manila. 

(You know, any lawyer would be willing, but if the principal doesn't want you, why force yourself into the situation? What it matters is the client's choice of counsel. If the client doesn't want you, why insist?)

Asked if the former president personally rejected Roque’s wish to become counsel, Panelo said he only knows what Vice President Sara Duterte has announced.

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“Si VP Inday Sara ang gumagawa ng team. Dapat bigyan mo ng laya ang kliyente o anak ng kliyente na bumuo ng legal team,” he said.

(It's VP Inday Sara who is putting the team together. You ned to give the client or the client's daughter the freedom to choose the legal team)

Roque, one of the only five Filipino lawyers recognized by the ICC, said that even if the elder Duterte chooses him, he will still need the endorsement of his daughter, Vice President Duterte.

Vice President Duterte previosuly said Roque is out because "we want him to focus on his asylum and then we want our lawyers to focus on the case."

Roque says won't force Dutertes to choose him as ICC lawyer

Roque said he respects the family’s decision.

Kaufman is still in the process of assembling a legal team composed of a co-counsel, legal assistant, investigator and a case manager.

Roque, together with former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea were initially part of Duterte's legal team in the ICC.

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