The lead counsel of former President Rodrigo Duterte is '' very confident'' that he will be acquitted from his case on alleged crimes on humanity during his administration's war on drugs before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In an interview with reporters in The Hague on Tuesday, British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said that he is confident to give the "strongest defense" for the former Philippine president who was arrested for alleged crimes against humanity.

"Very confident about the strongest defense and I’m very confident (Duterte would) be acquitted indeed, even at the earliest stage," he said.

Kaufman said his appointment as Duterte's legal counsel still has to be "introduced into the court system."

Vice President Sara Duterte, in a separate interview by reporters in The Hague, said other members of the defense team will be named. She said they won't include former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and ex-Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

"As of the present moment, I’ve just been appointed. It’s my job and privilege to carry this job out to compose a team for him. That would obviously be done in complete consultation with him and all those around him," he said.

Kaufman did not say their team's defense strategy but confirmed that there will be petitions filed before the ICC as he expressed hope to bring home the former president.

Kaufman, who visited the former president, said that Duterte is in "good spirits and looking forward to conducting his defense."

"I’m available to visit the former president as long as I am here, as long as I am allowed to do so. I have promised him that I will come every day that I am in The Hague," he said. Robina Asido/DMS