DFA working double-time on Miriam’s bid for UN tribunal

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is stepping up its efforts in the candidacy of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago for the United Nations’ international tribunal which will prosecute human rights violations in the former Yugoslavia.

The Philippine mission to the UN has informed the DFA that the UN may call early elections for the international tribunal, according to Undersecretary for Policy Lauro Baja Jr.

Baja said elections for the tribunal are slated in May this year but the president of the UN General Assembly may set an earlier date, thus shortening the time for Filipino diplomats to campaign for Santiago.

However, Baja said the DFA has already sent notes verbale, along with Santiago’s curriculum vitae, to foreign embassies here to seek their support for her candidacy.

Philippine embassies abroad have also forwarded the same diplomatic note on Santiago’s candidacy to their host governments.

"We believe she has a good chance and so we will campaign to ensure her candidacy will not go down the drain," Baja said.

China, Colombia and the United Kingdom have their respective candidates and have similarly sent diplomatic notes to lobby for support.

"We can always go for a quid pro quo... I support you and you support me," Baja said.

Baja dismissed speculations that the government is campaigning hard for Santiago’s candidacy as reward for her support for President Estrada who is facing impeachment proceedings. — Aurea Calica