[The Slingshot] Is Duterte a flight threat?

Nicolas Kaufman’s exorbitant lawyer’s charges quantity to 40,000 euros per thirty days, in line with a tell-all chismis by Harry Roque. That’s equal, at present change charges, to about P2,590,960. For some causes, the household of Rodrigo Duterte determined to ask the Worldwide Legal Courtroom to cowl the authorized charges for a staff of 5 legal professionals. The household gave no cause.

The catch, nevertheless, is {that a} lawyer who expenses that a lot for a authorized staff must show his authorized prowess. And the prowess should result in the specified final result of the Duterte household: Carry him residence!

Kaufman has to impress your entire DDS world that he deserves the steep authorized charges, particularly as a result of he has misplaced all his challenges to the court docket (i.e., challenge on the 2 judges, jurisdiction, and so forth.). He should not run out of tips. 

Is the request for interim launch to an undisclosed nation Kaufman’s final resort? If granted, it should nonetheless not imply freedom for Duterte. The undisclosed nation, performing as his steward, should assure his appearances in court docket in The Hague. Journey to the Philippines is not going to be a part of the deal. To disappoint his screaming DDS banshees, it is not going to lead to “Carry him residence.”

Kaufman assured the court docket that Duterte is not going to be a flight threat. Is that true?

Earlier than his arrest, Duterte had traveled from Davao Metropolis to Manila and Hongkong. The touring occasion of greater than 10 was large: common-law spouse Cielito Avanceña, their daughter Veronica, Mr. and Mrs. Salvador Medialdea, and former army generals and their wives; Sara Duterte later joined them, as did Salvador Panelo. How did they get there — free tickets from Cathay Pacific?

Kaufman cites Duterte’s age. He was 79 when he made that journey to Hongkong; he turned 80 a couple of days later in jail. However what on earth is Kaufman considering? That we had forgotten Duterte had simply made that journey to Hongkong, together with visits to buying malls? He spoke at a Kingdom of Jesus Christ rally and he was by each means match. And cursing.

Age is certainly out of the query. It doesn’t forestall him from touring. Kaufman loses on that assure. Duterte can nonetheless be a flight threat.

Authorized specialists inform us the best way to perceive flight threat elements. In america for instance, there have been numerous instances of the accused escaping even their bail hearings. Disclaimer: this author is neither a lawyer nor a regulation skilled.

First, there may be the severity of the costs. In Duterte’s case, last conviction by the ICC will mete him at the very least 30 years imprisonment. If that occurs, his solely likelihood of coming residence shall be in a coffin. Kaufman and the Duterte household thus deliver up the age or humanitarian card for sympathy. 

However the one manner they will deliver him residence is thru an acquittal. With the mounting numbers of proof offered by the prosecution to the three judges of the pre-trial chamber, an acquittal can be a fantasy. Recall that there at the moment are at the very least two (or extra) of former Davao Demise Squad assassins admitted within the Witness Safety Program in The Hague. 

Why would the court docket shield them if it discovered their testimonies weak? Why would the court docket shield them if it averred that their lives aren’t in peril? As a result of the reality is that these assassins/whistleblowers are higher lifeless within the Philippines.

On the premise, thus, of severity of expenses, Duterte is a flight threat.

A second issue is the standard of neighborhood ties Duterte has. That may instantly recall to mind the infinite demonstrations of his DDS followers in ICC grounds in The Hague. Dutch residents have complained of noise, budots, rubbish, and knocks from strangers on their doorways as a result of DDS must pee. They’re Filipinos however they’re Filipino lowlifes, not sorry for the harshness. If these are the type of people that will embrace again a free man Duterte, one doesn’t must guess what limits of the regulation they may break.

If he lands in Davao Metropolis, the extra he’ll get hidden there. Town teems with ignorant voters who will die for the Dutertes. It even took a number of agonizing days for the valiant police basic Nicolas Torre III to lastly find the fugitive Apollo Quiboloy. Davao Metropolis has many hidden compartments. Who would have the balls to squeal to authorities that Duterte is within the neighborhood? Discover me one.

Even judges of among the metropolis’s courts are beholden to Duterte. Town prosecutor was his appointee, a Honeylet member of the family. Let’s not child ourselves that the Dutertes are completed. They management Davao Metropolis by its neck. 

On the premise of the type of neighborhood ties Duterte retains, he’s unquestionably a flight threat.

But Kaufman omits one issue, both by omission or fee that makes Duterte a harmful flight threat. Cash.

Since his arrest, members of the family have been making the journey to Rotterdam Den Haag airport by turns. Sara herself mentioned so. After her first journey, it was the Duterte brother Bong’s flip to “hold watch.” Earlier than him was the flip of the son Paolo, the one linked to medicine buying and selling on the ports of Davao Metropolis. Then when it was Sara’s birthday, she returned along with her youthful brother Baste and their mom Elizabeth. Presently, it’s Honeylet’s flip.

And in case you missed it — Salvador Medialdea seems to have remained in The Hague since escorting Duterte in his arrest. Who pays for his Dutch lodgings? Bertola Medialdea?

Absolutely the household has all the cash to splurge on aviation gas. And they don’t appear to be operating out of gasoline. The place does all that cash come from? Medicine? China? Confidential and intelligence funds? Regardless of the supply, the Dutertes have a hidden wealth. All of the 7-11 branches of Davao Metropolis, or Honeylet’s Mr. Donuts, aren’t any matches to that type of journey sprees.

Is he a flight threat? Doubtless he has the monetary means to flee from his steward nation. The Duterte household is filthy wealthy, the explanation why Sara is transferring heaven and earth to keep away from her impeachment trial. As a result of for sure, all their financial institution accounts in peso and US {dollars} shall be opened and uncovered by order of the Anti-Cash Laundering Council.

Actually, many have questioned — has Duterte cash greased the loyalties of the senators within the Escudero Senate? We are able to make certain that the 5 who voted to not remand the Articles of Impeachment are clear. Can we are saying the identical factor of the 18?

There’s another issue that’s key. The Dutertes have by no means been efficiently charged in court docket. They eat impunity for breakfast. How do they do this? Maybe they pay their technique to the courts. Or they kill. They nonetheless have assassins to do their bidding.

It sickens their larger-than-life delight that the ICC case is placing them to disgrace earlier than the world. As a result of sure, the non-DDS world jumped with glee when he was arrested and dropped at the Netherlands. 

Nobody however nobody punctures a Duterte ego. It simply isn’t achieved. – Rappler.com