WHAT WENT BEFORE: Miriam Santiago and the ICJ

In July 2007, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nominated Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago to the International Court of Justice.

The ICJ, founded in 1945, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It rules on legal disputes brought before it by states, and also gives advisory opinions on legal questions from duly recognized international agencies. It is composed of 15 judges who serve nine-year terms.

At the time Santiago was vying for one of five seats to be vacated by February 2009. The election was set for November 2008. If elected, Santiago would have been the only woman judge on the 15-member world court.

Santiago, an international and constitutional law expert, was at one time a legal officer of the United Nations in Geneva. She is also the author of numerous law books.

It was the Philippines’ first bid for an ICJ seat in 40 years. The last Filipino to sit in the World Court was Chief Justice Cesar Bengzon, who served from 1967 to 1976.

However, despite a yearlong campaign, Santiago failed to capture the needed votes and was edged out by a contender from Somalia.

In the last national election, Santiago ran for reelection in the Senate and won. Her term will end in 2016.

Source: Inquirer Archives