Sen. Miriam Santiago Steps Down as ICC Judge

Manila — Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Tuesday stepped down as judge of the prestigious International Criminal Court (ICC) due to her health problem.

”Pursuant to my commitment, I hereby confirm that the Court should proceed on the basis that I am stepping down as elected judge,” Santiago said in her letter to ICC president Sang-Hyun Song dated June 3.

”Since I was elected in December 2011, I have secured alleviation nor treatment from the medical profession for my illness, known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” she added.

Santiago said she will support the procedures of the Assembly of State Parties later this year, “so that a replacement judge can be duly elected.”

The lady senator furnished President Benigno Aquino III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, and Senate President Franklin Drilon with copy of her letter to the ICC.

She also requested the DFA “that this letter should be circulated, with thanks, to all Parties of the Rome Statute.”

Santiago has been on sick leave from the Senate although attended several Senate inquiries into some controversies like the pork barrel scam. (By Jelly F. Musico (PNA) LGI/JFM)