Senator Santiago honored for her candidacy in International Criminal Court

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago talks to the media during a press conference about her being nominated as judge for the International Criminal Court at the Diamond Hotel, Tuesday. The luncheon event was hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario to honor the senator. Jamie Marie Elona/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—After the Philippines announced the candidacy of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago as judge for the International Criminal Court (ICC) last week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario hosted a luncheon in her honor at the Diamond Hotel on Tuesday.

Speaking to a crowd composed of around 29 ambassadors and foreign affairs officials, del Rosario lauded Santiago’s achievements as a legal expert and her impressive academic record in international law.

“Dr. Santiago realized and understood the need to establish an international court that would try individuals accused of the most egregious crimes committed on a scale that is widespread and systematic. This life-long belief stems from her respect for the rule of law, and more importantly, the understanding that the rule of law finds its most potent expression in international law,” del Rosario said.

The ICC is an independent permanent court that tries “only cases, of which includes genocide crime against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression, which a particular state does not want or is not able to try,” the senator said.

“The ICC is a court of last resort,” she added.

According to the information note regarding the ICC, this court will not act if a case is investigated by a national judicial system, unless the national proceedings are not genuine.

Dr. Santiago was nominated for one of the six seats available in ICC for the term 2012 to 2021.

Elections will be held from December 12 to 21 this year at the UN Headquarters in New York.

According to the statement of qualifications report, among others, Santiago has fulfilled the requirements under Article 36, paragraph 3, paragraphs (a) of the Statute.

It also said that Santiago “possess the qualifications required by the Philippine law for appointment to the highest judicial offices.”

The report also recognizes Santiago’s service to all three branches of the government as judge, cabinet member, and legislator, aside from being a regarded member of the academe as a professional lecturer on constitutional and international law at the University of the Philippines-College of Law for 12 years.

She has also written books that are now being used as reference in many law schools.

From the 19 nominees from Africa, eastern and western European states, Latin America, and other states, Santiago is one of the two nominees from Asia, along with George Serghides of Cyprus, for the 2011 ICC elections.

Santiago added if ever she gets the position, she will have to leave her senatorial post to take the courts’ official seat in The Hague, Netherlands. However, the ICC information note clears that the courts proceedings may take place anywhere in the world.

During the event’s press conference, the senator said that if she wins, she would like to handle cases like plunder and election fraud.

With her signature volley of laughter, she emphasized: “particularly the 1992.”

Santiago was a leading contender in the 1992 presidential elections but lost to then defense secretary Fidel V. Ramos. She filed a protest at the electoral tribunal of massive fraud but the case was eventually dismissed. She became one of the staunchest critics of the Ramos Administration and Ramos himself since he became a private citizen.