Rather than laying down a clear defense, Nicholas Kaufman, former president Rodrigo Duterte's counsel, spent much of his first 30 minutes before the International Criminal Court criticizing statements made by prosecutors and the victims’ lawyers.

The ex-leader is facing three counts of crimes against humanity for deadly anti-drug crackdowns he oversaw as mayor of the city of Davao and later as president.

The protests are a sign of the Philippine ex-leader’s ongoing influence, even as he faces a possible trial for the deaths of thousands during his war on drugs.