Senator Miriam Santiago will have more fun in the Philippines than at the International Criminal Court

There comes a time when one starts getting bored with one’s job and starts to think about going for another one just because it looks like the grass is much greener on the other side. But when the time comes to say goodbye to the old job, realization suddenly hits and then one starts having second thoughts about leaving. That is because in most cases, just when we are about to go, that is also the time when some people we have touched show their appreciation for our contribution to the organization. Indeed, life seems more complicated when one is faced with a lot of options. This must be what Senator Miriam Santiago is feeling right now.

After her emotional outbursts on live television during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, Senator Santiago earned quite a number of both critics and admirers. While her admonishing the incompetent and law-breaking prosecutors and their cohorts on a regular basis irked enough onion-skinned members of the public to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) to reconsider giving her a post in the court as a judge, she also renewed some Filipinos’ hope for the country again.

Senator Santiago had since been mobbed in public by people seeking a chance to be photographed with her and was welcomed with a standing ovation during a recent ballet performance. This is enough indication that there are Filipinos who can look beyond the manner with which she delivers her message across and that there are people who do know that Senator Santiago makes a lot of sense. And for as long as people like her are still around to tell it like it is, public servants who try to get away with mediocrity would think twice about doing it lest they get a tongue lashing and be branded as idiots by the feisty Senator.

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Even though Santiago says she is still keen on being a judge in the ICC, nevertheless she says she cannot resign from her Senatorial post just yet. She reiterated recently “that she would not resign from the Senate until she has assumed her post at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.” The following are her statements:

“I regret that I am unable to determine the date of my resignation, and that the ICC itself does not know either,” Santiago said in a letter to Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr.

“Of course, I will not resign from the Senate, until the ICC calls me to duty. Hence, I respectfully submit that even only out of prudence, the 2013 ballot should list only 12 vacancies for senators,” she added.

The pressure is on for her to tender her resignation since there are so many people who are fighting for the senatorial post she could vacate prior to the 2013 senatorial election. Most of the candidates are silent about their desire for her to go but Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile made no secret about his wish that Santiago give up her post as soon as possible. It is also no secret that Enrile’s son, JPE Jr or Jack as he is known, is vying for one of the twelve senatorial slots. Here’s what he said:

Maybe she should consider… the national interest over her interest as a senator by relinquishing her slot as a senator since she’s already assured of a membership [in the ICC]

It is quite suspect that JPE is very vocal against Santiago’s decision to stay on until she is called in at the ICC. It seems the elderly Enrile wants to ensure that there is enough vacancy to secure his son’s position in the election.

It is not like it is up to the Senate President to fire any of the Senators especially a popular one like Senator Santiago. It’s not like JPE is the boss of the Senators. In fact, the Senators owe their positions of power to the voters, and they are all answerable to the people. As the Senate president, JPE simply presides over the sessions of the Senate among other administrative tasks of the legislative branch. His flaky performance as the presiding officer of the impeachment court confirmed what some people think — that it seems like JPE’s allegiance is only to himself.

It’s really such a shame that JPE has become very blatant about his desire to keep things in the family and pass on the reigns to his first-born son. It is even shameful that the people are allowing this to happen because I am pretty sure Jack Enrile will win in the Senatorial election anyway. The voters won’t even bother to ask if he actually deserves to be a senator. They’ll just vote the younger Enrile because of his father’s popularity the same way they voted for incumbent President BS Aquino because of his own parents’ popularity.

Most rational people don’t think that Jack Enrile has anything new to offer. Besides, his father has been a public servant since the 1960s and yet hasn’t really made much of a difference to the country. All the public got is one lousy puppet leader after another after JPE mounted a coup d’etat against former President Ferdinand Marcos. Let’s not forget that JPE was among the very first batch of rule breakers who inadvertedly led the society into decay. Some people might consider the 1986 Edsa revolution a successful venture into democracy but, truly, it never really yielded much that would go on to change the conditions of the poor in any significant way. It just changed the people in power. And those in power don’t seem interested in the sorts of genuine reforms that would level the playing field.

Senator Santiago seems to have a valid reason to stay on as a Senator. According to her, until the ICC calls her to duty, the court will not be responsible for her income or professional accommodation. In other words, they will not pay her while she is on stand by. It would be a mistake if she resigns too soon since she doesn’t know when she is going to be called to report for duty. Furthermore, ICC president Sang-hyun Song also advised incoming judges “not to make any irreversible commitments for the time being which could terminate your current professional engagements with a view to future engagement at the Court.”

It could take years before Santiago is called in for duty. According to the ICC charter, “any incumbent judge shall not be allowed to retire until he finishes any trial in which he participated” and “a judge assigned to a Trial or Appeals Chamber continues in office in order to complete the trial or appeal, even after the expiry of his or her term.”

Most rational people would agree that the public will benefit more from Santiago than from some of the senatorial candidates — like Jack Enrile, for example. Filipinos should actually take advantage of her presence while she is still around. Jack’s father would, of course, disagree.

Senator Santiago should forget about the ICC and continue being a public servant of the Philippines instead. It would be a privilege to be a judge at the world stage but at this point, the country needs her. There is no other one like her. No one else can speak his or her mind the way she does. She does not engage in patronage politics the way most Filipino politicians do. Furthermore, the politics in the ICC can also be frustrating. The court is also limited by “a set of founding statutes that make it subservient to national powers”. Here’s an assessment of the court’s performance from the article The New Face of Global Justice:

…as a practical tool of justice, in the 10 years since the Rome Statute established it and in the seven years since it became operational, the ICC has disappointed. There are atrocities aplenty from Syria to Sudan, Colombia to North Korea. But the ICC has managed just one conviction–in March this year, of a lesser Congolese warlord, Thomas Lubanga, on charges of using child soldiers.

and

To an extent, the ICC’s attempts to extend international justice to the world were undermined from the start by a set of founding statutes that made it subservient to national powers. The ICC has not police of its own and has to rely on national forces to serve its indictments. The rules under which it operates mean it can only rarely be proactive; mostly it must be asked to intervene, either by the country in question or the U.N. Security Council. Even membership itself is voluntary.

It seems like being a judge of the ICC has its drawbacks after all. Even though it would be an honor for Senator Santiago to act as a judge of the ICC considering she is the first Filipino and first Asian from a developing country to sit in as one, I doubt if she will have as much fun as she has in the Philippines admonishing our incompetent public servants.

[Thumbnail photo courtesy Inquirer.net.]

124 Replies to “Senator Miriam Santiago will have more fun in the Philippines than at the International Criminal Court”

  1. I just want to say GRP is truly a beacon of hope in the Philippine society. It truly is a source of enlightenment.

    1. Kindly allow me shed light on some crucial issues and thank you for this opportunity.

      The election of a judge and her assumption of office is a commitment of the Philppines to the ICC. THe Court is only 10 years old and compared to other tribunals it is very young. Even the ICTY had many problems at the start yet it enriched jurisprudence on war crimes.

      It is the Philippines’ pride to have Judge Santiago sit in the ICC. It is a permanent criminal court, unlike the ICTY and others that mere ad hoc tribunals. THe ICJ is not a criminal tribunal. It also does not have a police force.

      It is not easy to arrest notorious suspects, no matter how famous, they are usually protected by armed groups and move from one country to the other. REmember that Kony,despite the assistance of American troops has not even been arrested. Saif Gaddafi would not also be surrendered by the rebels. The ICC Prosecutor tried to get Gaddafi. THe ICC does not have a police force.

      One has to read a bit about how international criminal tribunals operate and what are the requirements for its jurisdiction because international law respects the sovereignty of states , that alone is a major hurdle. THe huge budget required to make the ICC function efficiently from The Hague up to the field is also badly needed. Sadly, the biggest contributors, the US and China have not ratified the Rome Statute. But it is no reason for Judge Santiago not to take her rightful place in the Court. She topped the historical election by landslide, not a minor feat by any measure. SHe represents the Philippines, not herself. She is making the Philippines part of world history. The last time the Philippines was able to have a judge in an internaitonal tribunal, was through the sponsorship of the U.S. in the ICJ. Santiago will be the first Filipino to become judge of an international cvriminal court and it would be fun to watch her deal with the accused in atrocity crimes. The aims of international criminal justice are retribution, deterrence, and restorative justice and we should look forward to Santiago’s brilliance in the ICC.

  2. Never really was a fan of Miriam. But I do like her decision in the Corona impeachment trial and she does raise interesting points on the constitutional reform issue. Yet her saying “get aggressive with China,” and of course her manner, can be a put-off. Anyway, like what the person does when it’s good, not the person themselves.

  3. The ICC has not judged criminals like, Stalin of the Soviet Union, who killed 30 million of his people in his Soviet Gulags. Many countries have many criminal leaders…our country is one. Look at the Hacienda Luisita massacre. It is not even investigated.
    The Enriles are crooks and political opportunists. They’ve not done anything good in our country, except, made themselves rich. They will jump, one the other side of the fence; if the grass is greener there. No loyalty, but their stomachs. Do not vote for Enrile’s son. Do not be a supporter of family dynasties. We have to take back our country…

  4. Hmm, I could turn this argument around I think. Maybe the ICC, as unspectacular as it has been, really needs someone of Miriam’s strength to level it up. Maybe the world needs her more than this unappreciative country does.

    1. You could say that. Although it could take years before she can be familiar with the politics in the ICC and start giving her own style of management.

    1. @Jcc

      You write as if it is a fact that she got bumped. Don’t you think the local media would have gotten a hold of that information before you did if it were true? Give us a break with your speculations.

      1. kudos to you Ilda for this enlightening piece as always. Hopefully, Miriam will be able to finish her term as senator before she’s called upon to serve in the ICC… And surely, her command on International Law will be ours to brag about.

      2. This JC aka lawyer-vegetarian aka abogado de patola aka Disconjunctive Kid never gets tired of promoting his blog here heh…

        Kapal talaga he he he…

        Can’t a comment readers know what really is in your empty head without them or us wasting our time visiting your blog?

        – From GRP Attack Dog (for this abogado de patola) aka Trosp

        1. who he??? don’t care to know anyway…am surehis blog is blah..blah…blah…just like his idol…

    2. @JCC

      Correct si Ilda..stop your lies! Excuse me…”acceding to Rodel Rodis?!…in your dreams! “The Supreme Court in San Francisco, California, found him guilty of malpractice of law and ordered him to pay a fine of $135,000 to a Filipina whom he defrauded. He did not have enough money so he declared himself bankrupt. Anyone can hire him. You can hire him.”(sen. MDS)… that criminal?! NEVAH!

        1. the country needs Miriam more than the ICC to be at least a fiscalizer of our justice system. As everyone knows that we have now a puppet department of Justice. The Supreme court will soon follow if it has not already. Who else will protect us from injustice that will now be dispensed by the DOJ as well as the CJ who will surely be annointed by the palace?

        2. @RF Garcia

          Indeed. Who else can be as frank as MDS? I do not agree with some of her antics but at least she calls out moronic behaviour.

    3. Jcc…eat this!! “A malpractice suit (Case Number CGC-96-979206) was filed against Atty. Rodel Rodis on June 24, 1996. The Superior Court of San Francisco found Atty. Rodis guilty of malpractice and negligence in the handling the case of his client, Cecilia Tameta. On July 10, 1998, there was a Notice of Entry of Judgment in, which ordered Mr. Rodis to pay Ms. Tameta $137,250 plus costs. Since Atty. Rodis did not have any malpractice insurance, he filed for bankruptcy and on Oct. 26, 2000, he filed a notice of pending bankruptcy and stay of state court action.” http://www.mabuhayradio.com/naffaagate/loida-lewis-and-rodel-rodis-are-two-dumb-lawyers

      1. so rodis is a crook who is probably against another crook, MDS. but the point is that MDS was informed by the ICC that she cannot report to the court because the sitting judge whom she would replace has to wind up all the cases before he could leave the ICC.. hoohum, a very polite way of saying, ‘we were trying to correct our mistate.” 🙂

        1. @jcc…MDS a crook??? do you have proof that she has a criminal record?! Be careful of what you say…substantiate your allegation! And do your homework…check if the other new judges of the ICC judges are now sitting in their salas! Innuendos are unacceptable…I beg to disagree with Ilda…your imagination is not working overtime…you are not capable of imagination cuz you are a marionette on a string, manipulated by your “sponsors”.

        2. One can imagine what will happen if this jcc is a real lawyer. Just comprehend how his mind, or the lack thereof, works.

          Comparing MDS with a criminal. And from the way his mind works, that is an apple to apple comparison.

          Pwe!

    4. JCC, do you have written proof of what you claim ? How come the PHilippine embassy wasnt informed that she got bumped….. that means –> you lie. Whats your real name anyway and why are you hiding behind initials ? If what you are saying is not based on facts, you can be sued for defamation. Rodis’s petition is in the trash can. He is riding on Miriam’s overwhelming victory and popularity, plain and simple. Not 1,000,000 letters from Rodis can change the mind of the Assembly of States Parties who voted Miriam No.1 at the United Nations. Too bad for you. The ICC protects duly elected judges.Sadly for you, it appears you will never accomplish even half of what Miriam has accomplished and youll be relegated to a dark corner as one of those whiners.

  5. Miriam has a brilliant mind and she knows her stuff. But the brilliant ones are often misunderstood.

    She thinks on a different level than everyone else around her.

      1. Thats it….the Philippines should have more Miriam Santiagos to lift its pitiful poor corrupt image abroad. Its not funny to be consistently ranked among the most corrupt countries of Asia.

    1. I would like to believe you but the way Miriam plays her cards show that you are reading her wrong.

      No matter how brilliant (according to you) her mind is and irrespective of whether she knows her stuff very well, all of those are meaningless if she will always play cheering squad to losers like Erap and Gloria Arroyo.

  6. I think the powers in the shadows are trying to remove her from the PH asap, so the yellow regime will encounter less or no resistance at all for the remaining years…

  7. 3 years ago I found the lady Senator amusing and a breath of fresh air for her outbursts but it’s been three years and so far I haven’t heard or maybe I can’t understand the news/language but it seems like she does not introduce any bills to change the many things she complains about so I find that she is throwing water into the wind and I don’t care to listen to her anymore she grandstands for her own benefit and explosive odd tantrum needs, I could be wrong maybe she has drafted some change if she has please tell me but as of now I have not heard of any in the news.

    1. @KALYEboy…Why not google her bills if you really wanna know…it’s simple…just go to the senate website…And FYI…she tops the number of bills filed! methinks your just another blabber just like that self proclaimed KSP blogger JCC…You are mouthing the same lines…Comm group assasins??!

    2. btw kalyeboy…Miriam always makes news…she’s the most sought after senator by media…maybe you’ve been watching too much of TFC…try other mediums…

    3. From Wikipedia:

      “Santiago was appointed by President Corazon Aquino as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation in 1988, who there should be more women in government. She served in that capacity until 1989.[2] During that time, she earned enough money to fund her electoral ambitions.

      During her tenure as Commissioner of Immigration, she ordered raids on criminal syndicates and fake passport creators; prosecuted foreign criminals engaged in the pedophile industry; smuggling of illegal aliens, including prostitutes; import and export of illicit firearms and dangerous drugs; and even the operatives of the Yakuza. The persecutions would only cease when large “fines” were paid. She also granted Filipino citizenship to thousands of Indian and Chinese nationals for exorbitant fees.” — end of quote.

      When Marcos asked for base rentals from the U.S. those rents went directly to his pockects.

      Did the fines Miriam collect from Yakuza members and rich chinese go to the govt.?

      1. and for her stint in the Immigration, she was given much recognition, The Ramon Magsaysay Award for one… Cory put her in the Agrarian Reform so as to save the image of that flailing agency because of the Garchitorena Land Scam… read up on facts you black propagandist…JCC as in Jejemon Cara Communist!!!

  8. Thanks Ilda for this article. Talagang sayang si Sen. Miriam kung aalis siya sa bansa natin. She is a very fierce defender of the Rule of Law kahit maraming mga yellow zoombies ang nagalit sa kanya! I just hope and pray that she will change her mind. She is needed here just like you na enlightening the people for the truth. Thanks Ilda.

  9. Sen MDS is smart, but also a loose cannon.

    I don’t think she’ll have fun here, she’ll probably just get tired of her colleagues.

    Of course, I’ll support her decision to report to the ICC once they call for her, I just hope she’ll be able to do more good things regardless of the path she chooses.

    1. @aj

      She does go overboard sometimes. I do not agree with her use of the word “mongoloid” in describing her critics, for example. But may she does know something about them that we don’t.

        1. now, brenda cannot complain that some sectors called her brain-damaged. that is their constitutional free speech, which enjoys primacy over the right of a person protected under the revised, i.e., libel.

          it is their conclusion of her observing her demeanor in congress and in other public forum. no malice was intended and it cannot be prevented because that would be prior restraint and censorship… good point brenda.

  10. Before she leaves I would like to see the “EPAL BILL” passed! I would hate to see the street being cluttered again of the upcoming 2013 Senatorial election. In the US, it is prohibited to post any kind of advertisement on walls, benches, light post. There is a designated place for every candidates to post their campaign advertisement.

    1. Not only are they an eyesore, taxpayers also fund it. On second thought, I don’t even know why a bill has to be created just for it. Common sense should dictate that the money should go to other projects instead of massive signs with our public servant’s faces on it.

      1. No one has, in recent years, brought honor of the highest order than Miriam and Pacquiao, whether you agree or not.

  11. another very good article Ilda, I hope and I pray that MDS will stay in her present post and continue to create bills that will benefits the sake of our people and expose corrupt officials in the government. looking forward in her ANTI-EPAL bill. Lord pahabain niyo pa ang buhay ni Madam Miriam kailangan pa namin siya sa pinas, she’s indeed a philippine treasure 🙂

  12. Ilda,

    A question to ask is, once Senator Santiago goes, is there any other politician who can point out inanities and insults to Filipino intelligence like she can? From the looks of it, there isn’t. The pool of younger politicians looks like a bunch of either people groomed to continue dynasties, or people who are just…popular.

    Anyone who would dare do what she does will be shot down immediately, no doubt.

    That being said, I wish her luck at the ICC and commend this write-up for presenting an alternative view of things.

    1. @Amir

      The pool of younger politicians looks like a bunch of either people groomed to continue dynasties, or people who are just…popular.

      Exactly! Congress will be composed of people whose allegiance is only to themselves when people like Miriam Santiago leaves either for the ICC or retirement. Hardly anyone will have the balls to stand up for their beliefs unless they are willing to go through some form of political persecution.

      Thanks for the kind words!

  13. From Wikipedia:

    “Santiag was appointed by President Corazon Aquino as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation in 1988, who there should be more women in government. She served in that capacity until 1989.[2] During that time, she earned enough money to fund her electoral ambitions.

    During her tenure as Commissioner of Immigration, she ordered raids on criminal syndicates and fake passport creators; prosecuted foreign criminals engaged in the pedophile industry; smuggling of illegal aliens, including prostitutes; import and export of illicit firearms and dangerous drugs; and even the operatives of the Yakuza. The persecutions would only cease when large “fines” were paid. She also granted Filipino citizenship to thousands of Indian and Chinese nationals for exorbitant fees.” — end of quote.

    When Marcos asked for base rentals from the U.S. those rents went directly to his pockects.

    Did the fines Miriam collect from Yakuza members and rich chinese go to the govt.?

    1. The quality of your argument is picking up speed going downhill, Wikipedia of all things! You aren’t joking sir, are you?

    2. @JCC

      You are resorting to spamming to get your point across. That is a sign of desperation. You have already posted the same thing from Wikipedia. Try explaining it in your own words, please. Lawyer ka ba talaga?

      1. the same way you explain that CJ Corona was a victim instead of a crook.. anyone who supports your view is an angel, those against you are trolls. you do not need a lawyer to point out your one track-mind. anybody who goes to your blog that goes against your incorruptible politicians is a purveyor of lies.. you have the monopoly for facts!

        1. you have the monopoly for facts!

          Your opinions are not based on facts. They are based on unfounded allegations. You do not back them up with information that actually transpired. Now you are insinuating that Santiago stole funds during her term as the head of the Bureau of Immigration. As a lawyer, you should know better than to do that.

      2. im sorry ilda. it is your blog that has an issue… i have posted the first wikipedia comment but it came back with an error which says someting like, “under construction”. i scroll back and click my comment again not knowing that the first one went through. there was no attempt to spam your site. please don’t be paranoid.

        1. Commenters here might be ordinary folks but they’re not idiot as JCC.

          Can you imagine he’s blaming this blog for his double post. Ain’t he rereading his comment after posting?

          He has a comment here that after a minute he posted a correction.

          For the comment which sourced Wiki, suddenly, he did not reread his post.

          Idiot!

    3. This abogado de patola on his habit of nitpicking/sins of omission or distorting facts –

      He should not have ended his quote that he cited from wiki. The continuation is –

      “Almost every week, the media were full of Santiago’s press releases against criminal syndicates. At this point, she earned the resentment of politicians who are(sic) patrons and maybe benefactors of certain syndicates;[13] When a congressman delivered a privilege speech against her for a raid that arrested foreign pedophiles occupying a village in his district, Santiago called him, “Fungus Face” which she then used as a basis for her claim to acerbic wit and originality..[2][14] She also received threats because of the raids and being a big fan of the 1960s era American TV series The F.B.I., told the media, “I eat death threats for breakfast”.[2][15]”

      And this JCC the abogado de patola closed his comment –

      “Did the fines Miriam collect from Yakuza members and rich chinese go to the govt.?”

      Idiot!

    4. Ikaw ba jcc nagtapos talaga ng law school at BAR exam o dinoktor mo lang ang mga iyon para lang makapera ka sa pagiging abogado mo?

  14. “Sen. Miriam Santiago tells pro-Estrada crowd to support Charter change so they can bring him back to Malacanang. Santiago and Loi Estrada warn of civil war if Erap is arrested.” (The Fall of Joseph Estrada, By Amado Doronilla, p. 275-77).

    Sen. Santiago voted with 10 other senators not to open the envelope which was supposed to contain the damaging evidence against Estrada then the Senate adjourned.

    “The adjournment of the trial in fact marked the failure of the impeachment trial. It left the senate heavily damaged as an institution after the majority had voted to suppress the second envelope.” (ibid, p. 166).

    “Defensor, brother of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who sided with Estrada at impeachment trial, spoke on behalf of his group. Defensor proposed a snap election. it would be best to call for a snap-election, he said, “so we will all know wo really has the support of the people.” Wong echoed Defensor. In the first place, what we did was unconstitutional, he said, referring to the defection. “Why don’t we take power instead.”

    “Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile inflamed the reportedly hakot crowd (collected, delivered, paid and fed) to reclaim Malacanang. Santiago promised to work for the return of Estrada to presidency once relected.” (ibid, p 177-1220.

  15. “Awash with cash and backed up by massess in the hundreds of thousands disposed to do almost anything to bring back Estrada to Malacanang, Estrada’s allies saw an opportunity to turn back the clock with their own brand of People Power.”

    According to intelligence reports, Enrile, Lacson and Honasan and their lieutenants planned to use it to destabilize and later overthrow the government. Apart from Lacon, Enrile and Honasan, those suspeed part of the cabal were Sen. Defensor-Santiago, former Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio Morales, and Gov. Casimiro Ynares.” (ibid, p. 226).

    1. Tell it to the marines, JCC. Pure speculation. Nothing will come out of what you are trying to allege. Go back to law school.

    2. I’ve commented this once about this JCC – the abogado de patola –

      “For those of you, who are newbies in GRP, might be wondering why I’m labelling this JCC an alleged lawyer or an abogado de patola.

      To my mind, lawyers a should know their ethics. This JCC, the abogado de patola keeps maligning Corona, the accused, while the hearing has not been concluded.

      Read on –

      From http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120204hed6.html

      (This is for specially for JCC. I’ve commented this before in this blog.)

      “Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is now backing down on her incendiary remarks against Chief Justice Renato Corona who De Lima in one instance has described as a lawless “tyrant.”

      De Lima and another outspoken lawyer in the Aquino administration, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, have been directed to answer a petition seeking their disbarment or suspension as LAWYERS FOR MAKING CONTEMPTUOUS REMARKS AGAINST THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE IN VIOLATION OF THEIR LAWYER’S OATH.

      “It’s called free expression, a constitutional right the Chief Justice himself has publicly exercised in at least two occasions before an assembly of court sympathizers,” De Lima told reporters in reply to a Supreme Court resolution last Tuesday requiring the two government officials to submit comment on the disbarment case filed against them.

      A private lawyer Agustin Sundiam filed the complaint which De Lima and Lacierda are required to answer within 10 days.

      Sundiam had asked the high tribunal to take disciplinary action against De Lima and Lacierda for their “utterances and remarks on national television which were bannered by all newspapers” in support of President Aquino’s criticism of Corona during a criminal justice summit last Dec. 5.

      During the event, Aquino slammed Corona for being a “midnight appointee” and for supposedly being a roadblock in his reform agenda.

      The lawyer said the two secretaries violated their oath as lawyers, the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Rules of Court which require all lawyers to “observe and maintain the respect and dignity due to the courts of justice and judicial officers.”

      He cited De Lima’s strongly worded statement last December where she described Corona “a tyrant who holds himself above justice and accountability.”

      The petitioner alleged that the same remarks made by De Lima and Lacierda against Corona also constitute indirect contempt defined and punishable under the Revised Rules on Civil Procedure.

      “There is no gainsaying that the subject remarks were calculated precisely to degrade or tend to degrade the administration of justice, and erode and undermine the people’s confidence in this Honorable Supreme Court and the judicial officers,” read the petition obtained from a source.

      Sundiam asked the high tribunal to start appropriate proceedings “for the disbarment and/or suspension of respondents from practice of law” and other disciplinary action against the two.

      “These contemptuous remarks of the respondents are violative fo the Lawyer’s Oath, the Code of Professional Responsibility and Section 20(b), Rule 138 of the Rules of Court which direct the respondents-lawyers to observe and maintain the respect and dignity due to the courts of justice and judicial officers,” Sundiam stressed.”

      I’m concluding that JCC is just lawyer-vegetarian or abogado de patola. Or an insult to abogado de patolas!

      No ethics!

      Walang kahihiyan in our lingo.”

      Pwe!

    1. What’s the matter moron? Why so very desperate this time that you want your enemy to be killed? Are you crying now? Here fill this cup with your tears now because they’re tasty. Now I see why you are so hostile. You remind me of the admin of a Facebook fan page about anti-china who attacks the person criticizing that page with a parody of that person’s mother.

  16. “Most rational people would agree that the public will benefit more from Santiago than from some of the senatorial candidates ”

    i would have wanted to read more about why this is so. but there’s nothing. just the assumption that if youre rational so you should agree with ilda and if you dont, youre irrational. hahay.

  17. @jaks..i would have wanted to read more about why this is so. but there’s nothing. just the assumption that if youre rational so you should agree with ilda and if you dont, youre irrational. hahay.—

    Well,if you get your head out of noynoys ass and stop acting like a drooling noytard,maybe..just maybe, you get to see whats right and wrong, or the good and badin that pathetic country…until then…you will be just a drooling noynoy psycophant..

    1. Well,if you get your head out of noynoys ass and stop acting like a drooling noytard

      I doubt that’s possible. Being a paid troll for Noynoy Aquino is all jaks can do. Only explanation why jaks keeps comng back for more and quoting imaginary sources.

  18. JCC … do you just want to hear yourself talk like a true hepatic jaundiced cohorts of Aquino III… get your facts straight and get links or authenticated proof of what you say. We do not believe anything coming from your biased arguments. Are you turning green of jealousy from MDS and CJ corona’s accomplishments?? What about you are you an ACDC blogger?? Think before you talk or give us authenticated links not from the biased yellow media.

  19. JCC … do you just want to hear yourself talk like a true hepatic jaundiced cohorts of Aquino III… get your facts straight and get links or authenticated proof of what you say. We do not believe anything coming from your biased arguments. Are you turning green of jealousy from MDS and CJ corona’s accomplishments?? What about you are you an ACDC blogger?? Think before you talk or give
    us authenticated links not from the biased yellow media.

  20. there is really not much to read as jaks and Tommy Blue said.. except that MDS may have some ways in expressing herself but that is her… the point is that she is right, knowledgeable and an authority on the constitution as what she says.. She has every right to stay as senator until ICC calls her. JCC what is your proof that ICC changed their mind?? Your legality and points are useless and evitably filled with biased prejudicail statements… to talk just to talk.. You cannot debate MDS or any one of us with lies coming from your mouth. Give it a rest and face the mirror and start insulting yourself.

  21. Hello Ilda, not making any comment. Just like to say, you are raising some few eyebrows. Was that a comment, lol. Been out of the loop, but I’m here.

  22. i quoted amado doronilla, a pro CJ Corona about the participation of MDS in the impeachment of Erap in 2001 and he has unsavory entries in his book “The Fall of Joseph Estrada,” and what did i get in return?

    lots of ad-hominems.. hahay…

    1. Nope. Your feelings getting hurt because your arguments are demolished by logic and facts is not ad hominem.

    2. @jcc

      Even if you quote the Queen of England, it won’t make a difference if it’s just baseless accusation.

      It is a fact that MDS was a part of the impeachment trial of Erap. What’s your point?!

    3. JEJEMON CC…Amado Doronilla was always known to be the mouthpiece of Sen. Santiago’s arch-enemy…he should retire…as you should be disbarred if you truly are a lawyer together with LIEla Dilim-na.

  23. some people in this blog would like to be believed more than wikipedia and amado doronila, but they must flash their credential first if they want to create an impression that they have a better hold of the “facts” than the two sources i have mentioned. it has always been a source of eternal discomfort on my part seeing people online whose only claim to expertise is their fortune of having a keyboard to punch like agitated chimpanzees on steroid, and an internet connection to download their horseshits online.

      1. not your sole prerogative to dish out insult. i can trade one with yours with fanfare, but as ramboo said, i did not draw the first blood. 🙂

        1. Oh please. You are the first to insult my articles most times. You can stop projecting the “holier than thou” image now.

    1. @jcc

      Your law degree has not helped you come up with sound analysis, unfortunately.

      it has always been a source of eternal discomfort on my part seeing people online whose only claim to expertise is their fortune of having a keyboard to punch like agitated chimpanzees on steroid, and an internet connection to download their horseshits online

      I always think it’s a sign of victory when they move on to the ad hominem.” -Christopher Hitchens

  24. I agree Miriam will have more fun in Pinas because this is where her fans are. In the ICC her antics and moments of lunacy will surely not be appreciated.

        1. I guess the senator will have lesser problems in th ICC because they are less political and there no need to kiss bottoms. Nobody has to adhere to policing and popularity. It will be just a lengthy discussion about laws, criminals and other law-related things. Then again, even an ideal environment can get boring for a while. I don’t know how she will fit in the ICC but I think she knows Philippine politics (and circus) for a long time. I’m sure she will have her fair share of friends, enemies and frenemies.

    1. stupid comment…you denigrate not only Miriam but the state parties who voted her number one overwhelmingly to be a member of the ICC… only in the Philippines do we have morons who can’t live without being a crab!

      1. Well, I’m sorry but Miriam, for me is demented. That is how I see her and I’m really sorry if I upset you. She’s the political version of Annabelle Rama.

        So what if she was voted no. 1? Was that proof that she’s not insane? Maecos was no. 1 too. So was Hitler, Saddam and Khadaff.

        Again, I’m sorry for what I said about Miriam.

        1. I idolize her in present form…and you sir are abusing your mind…show me a psychiatric evaluation of your claims…otherwise, shut up cuz you are just proving yourself to be the sira-ulo that you are.

        2. Mary Grace, calm down. Your nerves is getting out of whack hence you’re almost not making sense.

          Why will I show you a psychiatric evaluation of my opinion about Miriam? Does Miriam ask for it every time she calls people beneath her sira-ulo like her?

          And don’t be so confrontational. Hot-headedness will get you nowhere. I did nothing to make you mad. I said nothing insulting to you. I even said sorry for not agreeing with you. I just expressed my opinion about the subject of this thread. If you do not agree with it, say so and SHOW ME your contrary opinion.

          Let us not get personal, let us stay on topic. Peace.

        3. “I idolize her in present form…” – MARY GRACE SANCHEZ
          ——

          You can even idolize her in a demented form and my opinion of her remains. I’m sorry, blusters and swagger do not impress me. Arrogance and bombastic speeches do not intimidate me. And I’m not one to adore and worship someone who is so full of herself.

          Nope. Not me.

        1. Again, another request for an explanation, lol!

          If you do not agree with what I’m saying, you are very welcome to contradict it.

          Don’t start a conversation by asking a question because it just exposes your position to the issue. Weak.

        2. Please domo I’m so scared of you don’t scare me more, please! I’m not going to engage you with your game because I’m too scared of you. And your game is too immature too, lol!

          Now let’s go back to the issue.

  25. “Senator Santiago should forget about the ICC and continue being a public servant of the Philippines instead. ” – Ilda
    —–

    I agree. What will she do there anyway? Start to make a name for herself again? With her age and diminishing return intellectually, I don’t think she’ll accomplish much there.

    What she should do really is become not just a public servant. All her professional life she has been just that. Why not be a “real” public servant this time? You know, the one that really deals with the people directly. Be the executive herself. In that position she will not only get to use her mouth and her heavily-used brain but be a hands-on leader too.

    We all know that her attempt to become the chief executive, the highest public servant in the land was thwarted when she ran against Fidel Ramos. After that, she has practically reduced herself to a sideline heckler. A highest paid usisera. Cheering for losers like Erap and Gloria. She don’t need all that. She don’t have to be that.

    In all the years she served in the court, and all those years being a senator has really not proven Miriam’s worth as a real public servant. Everybody knows how she can browbeat any ordinary mortals who comes to her court or in any court she occupies. She even impressed a lot of people how brilliant she is and how legally sound her thinking was. She excelled, so to speak, in being a magistrate all her life. But people forget that that is not what a public servant is.

    I say, run for mayor, governor or even president again if she really wants to serve and to solidify her image as a brilliant government servant. As a former judge and a seasoned legislator, there is really nothing left for her to prove.

    It’s time to up the ante, if she’s really interested in improving the lot of the country, than by just making blusters and bombastic speeches meant for consumption of the gullible public. That is so ’80s.

    1. and who are you to map out her public life?? since you know so much about being a public servant, why don’t you run yourself? wonder how many votes you’ll get…and Wonder no more..Miriam will make a name for herself in the ICC & the Philippines will be in the global map again!!! And before you give your unsolicited advice to Miriam, correct your grammar first…”She don’t need all that. She don’t have to be that.”…LOL!!!!

      1. Before you asked me that question, better ask the author of this thread because she was the first to ‘map out’ Miriam’s public life. I’m just agreeing with her.

        You want me to run? Shoot. On one condition, I will run against Miriam. Deal?

        Miriam will make a name for herself in the ICC? Again? And what will the Filipinos get out from it? Susme! Mabubusog ba ang mga mahihirap if ever Miriam makes a name in the ICC? Susmarya!

        Yes, I thank you for correcting my grammar. I hope you will not charge me for it. Anyway, it’s a good thing that you found time to notice my grammar that you were unable to make a sense out of your response. I’m sorry if my grammar confused you to the point of making you incapable of responding with reason and tact.

        Peace.

        1. Perhaps it is a matter of national pride – pride that a Filipino can sit in an international court. It could be anybody but it turns out that it is Miriam. I think she qualifies and –if your reasons are personal against her appointment and qualifications, you’re free to express them. But don’t blame others who can appreciate her (sometimes) and her contributions to the public.

        2. I agree on the so-called national pride if Miriam gets to sit in an international court. And there is no question as to her qualification. It just so happened that I agree with the author that in remaining in the country to serve as a public servant, the Filipino people will directly benefit more in Miriam than be just a symbol of pride outside. That is what should the pro-Miriam should wish for.

          For me, I have no personal agenda against Miriam. What will I get going against somebody whose admirers are as crazy as her? Just like everybody else who dislike her, I just don’t agree with her irresponsible and disrespectful actuations in public. I don’t like the way she treats people, especially those she considers beneath her. I abhor the way she represents the institution she belongs to with arrogance and misplaced pride. I’m disgusted how she project herself thumbing her nose to ordinary mortals because she, unlike them, is a brilliant luminary and a legal scholar.

          Don’t get me wrong, Miriam is a gentle soul and a calm presence in person, at least from a distance. I’ve seen her a number of times in the Senate and she is a picture of confident composure and cheerful disposition. I just don’t know where her mean and vicious front comes from every time a microphone is put in front of her.

  26. @jona-s thanks for replying. That clears up many things for me and other posters as well. I guess we can only guess because she is definitely a unique person on her own. I don’t think we can really see or understand a person, even a public person. At least, you get to meet her and have your own opinions about her.

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