“I eat death threats for breakfast.”
A phrase coined by one of Asia’s toughest and most renowned politicians, her whole life, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was seemingly invincible. However, after four years of battling lung cancer, Asia’s Iron Lady passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 71, on 8:52am of September 29th.
Dr. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was an orator, author, lawyer, judge, senator, and overall considered one of the most seasoned and recognized politicians, not only in her country, but internationally. In addition to her 47 years of fighting the widespread graft and corruption of the Philippines, she also served as a legal officer for the UN and proceeded to become the first Asian from a developing country to become a judge in the International Criminal Court. She also became the recipient of many awards, particularly the Laureate of Ramon Magsaysay Award (the Asian equivalent to a Nobel Prize) and the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit in Spain. An alumna of a number of prestigious schools (such as University of the Philippines, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, the Hague School of International Law, and Maryhill School of Theology) and the holder of multiple degrees (Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, and Doctor of Juridical Science), Senator Miriam was known for her uncanny wit and brilliance.
Beginning only as an assistant to the justice secretary, she worked her way up the political ladder, dedicating her life to serving the Filipino people. She soon became a trial judge for the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City (the youngest and first judge to serve in Manila without having been required to serve in the province first), then eventually the Commissioner of Immigration and then the Secretary of Agrarian Reform. In each of her posts, she broke records, such as implementing the no-postponement policy in the court; increasing the number of deported foreign pedophiles, drug lords, and other criminals by 300% in her first year; and fought the land conversion scandal in which landlords tried to cheat laws allocating land to farmers. After a number of years, she was elected into the senate, where she authored and passed over 5,000 bills and resolutions—the most among all senators. Some of the most high-profile among them would be the Reproductive Health Act of 2012, the Climate Change Act of 2009, Magna Carta of Women, and the Cybercrime Act of 2012. Prior to her retirement, she served three senatorial terms.
In addition to her years in the senate, she also ran for president not once, not twice—but thrice. Her first attempt was in 1992 against former Cabinet President Fidel V. Ramos, who won by a small margin. At her request for a recount, the country suddenly suffered from a nationwide blackout, rendering the Commission on Elections unable to fulfill the request. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, junked her electoral protest. Thus, Fidel V. Ramos was declared the 12th President of the Philippines (however, it should be noted that in the 2011 Wikileaks, Ramos was reported to have accepted a Php 5 million campaign contribution from Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, which is prohibited by Philippine election law). Her second attempt was in 1998 against former actor, senator, and Vice President Joseph Estrada, who was later convicted of plunder; and her third attempt was during the recently held 2016 elections, where she lost the battle to the tough-talking Mayor of Davao, current President Rodrigo Duterte.
Senator Miriam was and is still considered one of the wisest and wittiest legislators to have ever graced the senate. With her fierce countenance and willingness to protect and improve the country by means of giving her all in the senate, she set a brave and admirable example to the youth of the Philippines. At the news of her death, many grieved and clamored to express their humble thanks for the Iron Lady’s inspiration. While her life has ended, her legacy will surely last longer than mortality ever could. With her passing, we remember the imprint she has left on the Filipino government and its people.
Her remains will be available for public viewing at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.
“I have no illusions about myself, about my life, about leaving a legacy, or making a mark in people’s lives. We are so insignificant. We are only here for a blink.”
– Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago
