In a significant milestone for the Philippine legal community, Cebuano lawyer Rameses “Ram” Victorius Villagonzalo has officially been accredited to the International Criminal Court List of Counsel. He announced this achievement in an exclusive interview with SunStar Cebu on Friday, November 28, 2025.
This accreditation marks a historic first, as Villagonzalo is now the first lawyer from Cebu and the entire Visayas region to earn this prestigious recognition. He also becomes the sixth Filipino lawyer overall to join this elite international roster.
What This ICC Accreditation Means
As an ICC-accredited counsel, Villagonzalo's role is multifaceted. He explained that the ICC may summon him to serve as a special defense counsel, provide additional prosecution support, or join legal teams assisting the Office of the Prosecutor.
The ICC List of Counsel is a global directory of highly qualified lawyers from various jurisdictions. These legal experts can be appointed to represent suspects, accused persons, or even victims in proceedings before the International Criminal Court.
Other distinguished Filipino lawyers already on the list include former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Gilbert Andres, Joel Butuyan, Charles Janzen Chua, and Nashmyleen Marohomsalic.
A Legal Career Forged in Complex Cases
Villagonzalo brings a wealth of experience to the ICC, honed over 20 years of legal practice. He believes his extensive background in handling serious crimes like murder and homicide will be invaluable at the international court, where many cases involve crimes against humanity.
Among the high-profile cases he has defended or prosecuted are:
- The murder cases of the Oyao brothers (2008–2018)
- The Ellah Joy Pique kidnapping with homicide case (2011–2014)
- The Robinsons robbery-multiple homicide case (2011–2015)
- Cybercrime and estafa cases against three Romanian nationals (2017–2025)
He has also represented his Philippine Military Academy classmates in cases related to the 2003 Oakwood mutiny during his early years in practice.
Villagonzalo completed all his studies in Cebu City, graduating from Don Bosco Technical High School for Elementary (1987), University of the Visayas for High School (1991), University of San Carlos for his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (1998), and University of Southern Philippines for Law (2003), where he was a Dean's Lister and Cum Laude.
Perspectives on Philippine Justice and Future Inspirations
Villagonzalo shared candid observations about the Philippine justice system, noting it still struggles with inequality and delays. He pointed out that criminal and civil procedures in the country are designed for protracted trials, resulting in clogged dockets and slow case disposition.
Despite these challenges, he remains committed to ethical practice. I can serve in line with ethics and dignity. For me, I still have purpose and usefulness. I will truly follow legal ethics, in short, I will do things properly and will not get involved in any wrongdoing, Villagonzalo affirmed.
He hopes his new role will inspire younger lawyers and his own children, demonstrating that Filipino legal professionals can achieve global recognition through dedication and integrity.
The application process for the ICC List of Counsel is rigorous. Villagonzalo submitted his initial documents on April 4, 2025, and received the official grant via email on Thursday, November 27, 2025, after an eight-month evaluation period.
Requirements for accreditation include at least 10 years of experience as a judge, prosecutor, or litigator; practice in international law and/or criminal law; no criminal record; and demonstrated moral fitness. Applicants must submit numerous documents including certificates of good standing, detailed curriculum vitae, and proof of professional qualifications.
