Largely overshadowed by the Executive-Judiciary conflict and now the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Spreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, the country virtually ignored the news that feisty Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has been voted to sit as one of the judges in the International Criminal Court in an election held in New York Monday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs delivered the news of Santiago’s successful bid, citing a report from the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

“We are pleased that the international community has listened to us,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario was quoted by a broadsheet as saying. “Indeed, it is a new day for the Philippines, a day of pride for our country, and a day of honor knowing that this is a tremendous responsibility and mandate placed upon our compatriot.”

Santiago and five other new judges will take their oath of office this March, but the lady senator said she does not have to assume her post in The Hague, Netherlands right away.

“This is a victory for the Philippines in the international legal community. This victory means that in this region of the world, the Philippines stands as a champion of international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and the rule of international law in global affairs,” she  said.

Her successful ICC bid capped a four-month campaign to gain the support of state-parties for her candidacy, which was based on her expertise in international law and experience as a trial court judge.

Santiago topped the first round of elections, securing the first of six vacant seats in the ICC by getting 79 out of the 104 valid votes made by state-parties.

Del Rosario said her  election was historic on several counts.

First, she will be the first ever female to sit as a judge in the international court, adding that it would bring gender-balance to a tribunal that hears and tries cases involving violence against women.

Second, she will be the first Asian from a developing country to be elected to the court as two other sitting judges are from Japan and South Korea, both developed Asian countries.

Third, Santiago will be the first Filipino to sit as an ICC judge and only the second to have been elected to an international court, next to former chief justice Cesar Bengzon.

The ICC has 120 states parties, of which 117 voted in the first round last Monday.

The Philippines was number one with 79 votes, followed by Trinidad and Tobago with 72 votes.

Congratulations, Senator!

You just did the country mighty proud.

More power and the best of luck to you in your new assignment at the ICC.