Miriam: Corona trial first before ICC

Ayee Macaraig

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

In a letter to the media, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago also says she will not respond to 'personal attacks'

DIMWITS, CRETINS. Miriam takes on her critics for alleged personal attacks against her. Photo by Adrian Portugal.

MANILA, Philippines – Sorry, ICC. You will have to wait for your new judge.

In a letter to the media, Senator-judge Miriam Defensor Santiago said she will ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to call her to work only until after a decision is reached on impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Santiago was elected as one of the new judges of the Hague-based ICC in December 2011. The ICC tries the most serious international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

The 6 newly-elected ICC judges will take their oath in March, go back to their countries, and will be called to work in about 6 months to 2 years.

“It is black propaganda to imply that my strong efforts to prevent trial delays will not amount to anything because I will no longer be in the country when the impeachment trial is submitted for decision,” said Santiago.  

“Even only one vote could be crucial to decide the impeachment case. Hence, I shall take steps to persuade the ICC to call me, only until after the impeachment decision has been promulgated.”

Dimwits, cretins, and high blood pressure

In the letter, Santiago also attacked her critics, whom she only referred to as a “publicity-seeking senatorial candidate” and a “columnist known as a regular Malacañang apologist.” She said they tried to “resurrect the age-old issue of mental health.”

Last week, some prosecutors took exception to Santiago’s criticisms and lectures on the floor, saying they were also elected public officials. Without naming her, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile appealed to his colleagues to exercise civility in the trial.

Santiago explained she will no longer respond to personal attacks because her blood pressure shot up to 180/100 over the weekend. She said she will only answer questions on the Rules of Court.

“Since the Senate Rules prohibit public discussion on the merits of the case, the corrupt character assassins feed the media with poisonous personal attacks,” she said in her letter.

“My enemies could deliberately provoke me with a personal attack that could lead me to further hypertension and a possible stroke, thus effectively removing me from the impeachment court.”

While Santiago refused to name her critics, she said that her credentials as a trial court judge far outweighed theirs. She hinted that they were criticizing her demeanor in the impeachment court.

“Not every dimwit can claim ‘trial practice,’ which calls for the special rules on trial technique and procedure. And what is the basis for all the pious nonsense about judicial behavior, from people who have never seen a courtroom or read jurisprudence? 

Santiago added, “I am aghast and postal that a party in litigation and the submental cretins who are my enemies have the gall to demand the power to control the personality of a judge. To educate the non-educable, it is the judge who controls the proceedings.” – Rappler.com

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!