MANILA — Malacañang welcomed remarks from judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the spread of misinformation related to the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying the observations support concerns about false narratives surrounding the proceedings.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the ICC’s comments showed that concerns over disinformation are also being recognized by the international tribunal.

“Naging makabuluhan po ang ipinahayag ng ICC dahil nakita po natin na hindi lamang po tayo ang nakakakita at nakakapansin ng pagkalat ng fake news (The ICC judges’ observation was significant because we saw that we are not the only ones who see and notice the spread of fake news),” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

Castro alleged that much of the misinformation concerning the ICC proceedings originated from Duterte’s camp.

“Karamihan po dito ay talagang nanggaling sa kampo ng mga Duterte lalung-lalo na patungkol dito sa kaso sa ICC (Most of the fake news really came from the Duterte camp, especially regarding the ICC case),” she said.

She also said it was appropriate for the ICC to call out former lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman over statements he made outside the courtroom.

Castro further maintained that Kaufman’s previous remarks directed at the administration were politically motivated.

The Palace official made the remarks following a status conference before the ICC, where Presiding Judge Joanna Korner expressed concern over misinformation surrounding the Duterte case and reminded parties involved to be cautious in making public statements.