Miriam urges P-Noy to transmit Rome Statute on International Criminal Court

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has urged President Aquino to transmit the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court to the Senate for ratification ahead of the United States, the country’s top ally.

“The policy of Malacañang with regard to the Rome Statute has been in line with the position of the US. The US under the Bush administration did not ratify the Rome Statute. With new presidents leading both countries, we can expect expedience in the statute’s ratification,” Santiago said.

Santiago said US president Barack Obama has hinted that his government would ratify the statute.

Obama has acknowledged that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has pursued charges only in the “most serious and systematic” crimes.

The Rome Statute provides that the ICC shall be a permanent institution and shall have the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the most serious crimes of international concern: genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

Santiago noted that the Philippines was among the active participants in the 1998 United Nations Conference in Rome, Italy, and became a signatory to the Rome Statute in December 2000.

“This is the first test for President Aquino before the international community. It will be a bold move for the new Aquino administration to initiate the concurrence of the Rome Statute ahead of its ally, the US,” Santiago said. “It is the fundamental duty of the Philippines – as articulated in the Constitution and international law – to protect human rights, especially the right to life and human dignity.”