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<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-9/Miriam-Defensor-Santiago.webp" alt=""Miriam Defensor Santiago />
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(Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago)
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Senator Pia Cayetano said Santiago is “very much qualified for the position” due to her unquestionable expertise in international and constitutional law, not to mention her exemplary academics and solid track record in public service.


“I convey my warmest congratulations to our colleague, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, for being elected as judge of the ICC. Senator Miriam is very much qualified for the position and will be a great addition to the ICC,” Cayetano said.


Cayetano, however, was saddened because Santiago has to leave the Senate for higher calling, the first for a Filipino and first for an Asian from a developing country to serve as ICC judge.


“Naturally I am saddened because I will lose a friend, a mentor, and an ally in the fight for women's rights. The Senate as an institution will lose one of its brightest and sharpest minds, but the honor she brings to our country as an ICC judge is an unparalleled achievement that each one of us should be happy and proud of,” Cayetano said.


Cayetano has actually filed Senate Resolution No. 669 congratulating and commending the achievement of Santiago for making history as the first Filipino to be elected as judge in the ICC.


Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said the election of his colleague is ‘pride for our country.”


”I congratulate her,” Escudero, also a lawyer by profession, said.


Escudero said he is hoping that Santiago will not be called upon soon enough, especially now that the Senate is set to convene soon as an ‘impeachment court’ for Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.


”The impeachment is a legal process where there is a great need of legal process and wisdom of Senator Miriam Santiago, a former RTC judge herself,” Escudero said.


Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. said the departure of Santiago will be a great loss to the Senate but “we are looking forward to the greater honor she will be bringing to the country.”


”Being vastly knowledgeable in international law, she is indisputably most qualified to the position,” Revilla said.


”As a woman of courage, justice and integrity, Senator Santiago will make a valuable contribution as member of the international court. Knowing her, she will staunchly perform her duty according to the rule of law and without compromising the noble goal of the establishment of the ICC, which is to end impunity for the culprits of the grave crimes concerning the international community,” Revilla added.


Santiago will take her oath of office in March, but will not immediately assume her post in The Hague, the Netherlands, until the ICC calls her to report for duty.


Thus, it is likely that Santiago will remain as a senator in the next six months or even longer, depending on when she is called to The Hague.


Santiago got fresh, six-year mandate as senator during last year's national elections. 





Source: Philippine News Agency

Senators hail election of Santiago as ICC judge