“I will be the first Filipino to sit there. Plus, I will be the first Asian from a developing country. So this is an honor for the Philippines actually and for President Aquino who nominated me,” Santiago said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
Santiago won as judge in the ICC elections during the 10th session of the Assembly of States Parties in New York on Monday (US time).
“It’s really an achievement of our people there in the UN. It’s really our Department of Foreign Affairs that needs to be congratulated,” she said.
She topped the first round with 79 out of 104 votes, making her the first to be elected out of 18 candidates vying for 6 seats in the ICC Judicial Division.
Will not immediately resign
Winning a seat in the ICC would mean that Santiago would have to give up her post a member of the Philippine Senate. The new post has a 9-year term of office.
“I’d have to resign. But I don’t have to resign immediately. People think that once I am elected I have to take the first plane out to The Hague and sit in a court. No. I will take my oath of office in March together with 6 other new judges. They are still in the process of being voted upon. The Philippines was number 1 in the first round of voting. That is something for the Philippines,” she said.
The senator added that the new ICC judges cannot assume office immediately “until we are officially called to report for work”.
“There are 18 judges in the ICC. The rule is, once a judge has participated in the trial of a case, he has to stay beyond his retirement date, until after the trial is finished.”
“That is why I will not leave the Philippine Senate immediately. I might stay for 6 months or a year or more. I can continue my work in the Senate but once I am called to The Hague I will resign,” she said.
‘More than qualified’
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario hailed Santiago’s victory, saying the senator is more than qualified for the post of ICC judge.
“Dr. Santiago is eminently qualified. She has shown competence and commitment in defense of the rule of law. She has demonstrated her intelligence and legal acumen through her decisions that have been cited by the Philippine Supreme Court. She has shown independence and integrity in her actions. She is more than qualified for this position,” del Rosario said.
“This is the message that we emphasized in the campaign. We are pleased that the international community has listened to us. Indeed, it is a new day for the Philippines, a day of pride for our country and a day of honor, knowing that this is a tremendous responsibility and mandate placed upon our compatriot.”
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, likewise, praised Santiago’s win. “Dr. Santiago’s triumph is a victory for the entire Philippines and a demonstration of the international community’s complete faith and confidence in her outstanding abilities and of the country’s commitment to the global fight against impunity… We are elated that a Filipina will sit as Judge at the International Criminal Court.” – With report from ANC, Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
hindi kaya mas lalong maging matabil itong si brenda ngayong ICJ judge na siya?
hindi kaya mapahiya ang pilipinas sa kanyang mga argumento kung ihahambing sa naging pananaw niya’t pahayag nitong mga nagdaang panahon lalo na nu’ng administrasyon ng babaeng hindi naman hinalal ng tao subalit tinatawag ang sarili niya bilang presidente daw ng pilipinas?
I’m confident that she will make the country proud. My regret is that she would be a loss to the Senate.
Diyan siya bagay kasi dito sa Pilipinas nakapanig siya palagi kay arroyo
Congrats to Miriam, she deserves the post. I am happy for her believing that her caliber is well suited as judge to Int’l Criminal Court. Well done, DFA!
i hope you stop being an a–! well deserved! congratulations!!! 🙂
As a Pinoy myself, I am very proud knowing one of our own kababayans———-and a very deserving one at that, is now a member of the prestigious ICC.
Pero Mrs. Santiago, a little bit of (un-solicited) advise……watch your mouth….watch your temper, watch your language, hane !! And please do not start asking from what schools your colleagues graduated from, okay !! 🙂
Senator Lapid, makakahinga ka na at isa sa mga kina-tatakutan mong senador eh malapit nang lumipad patungong Hague. 🙂
matagal ng gusto ni Miriam ang pwestong yan. Kaya nga panay ang sama niya kay pandak noon dahil dyan.
Congratulations! Another reason to be proud of being a Pinoy. A half Filipino just won the CNN Heroes awards too.
Heh,heh,heh…tama ka dyan Jawo. Makakahinga na ng husto si Lapid.
In fairness, matalino talaga si Brenda, witty too and a comedian!
Well, Sen Miriam is surely happy with that new appointment. That’s more prestigious than the kind of job she now has as senator.
Then just go, just resign your post Sen Santiago. Minus one potential vote for the non-impeachment of Corona.
Isa tayo sa mga aliw na aliw kay Sen. Miriam sa kanyang pagiging matalino, matapang at matabil. Pero ang pinaka gusto ko sa kanya ay ang kanyang pagkakaroon ng sense of rumor.
sense of humor?
meron ba namang sense ‘yung tatalon sa eroplano?
di ba kasaykotikan ‘yun?
nahuli ka tuloy, Mr. Josephus Oswald Einstein Stewart Edwards Graham.
matagal ka na palang may kras kay sisang lundag.
di ba, Mr. Cocs?
She will be the first and the last. The UN will never live down this mistake. But thanks anyway for getting her off our backs.
Ano kayang kalkulasyon ni PNoy nung ninominate siya?