Palace lauds Senate for resolution on Rome Statute

Malacañang on Wednesday lauded the Senate for paving the way for the Philippines’ joining the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it approved a resolution concurring with the ratification of the Rome Statute. “This is a concrete demonstration of the administration's commitment to human rights and accountability within and among nations," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press statement. "With the approval on third and final reading of its resolution concurring in the ratification of the Rome Statute, the Senate has paved the way for the Philippines to join the International Criminal Court (ICC)," Lacierda said. The Senate, voting 17-1 on Tuesday, approved on the third and final reading a resolution concurring with the ratification of the Rome Statute. The Department of Foreign Affairs is expected to deposit the instrument of ratification this week in New York. Lacierda said President Benigno Aquino III endorsed the Rome Statute on May 6, 2011. Aquino signed on February 28 this year the Instrument of Ratification of the treaty providing for the establishment of the ICC. The administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had failed to transmit the ratification instrument to the Senate which had requested it way back in 2006. The Rome Statute provides for the establishment of the ICC, which is based in The Hague, The Netherlands. The ICC, which began operating in 2002, is the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal. Under the treaty, the court can step in only when countries are unwilling or unable to dispense justice themselves for genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. - VVP, GMA News