Senators remember Miriam as an ‘idol,’ ‘inspiration’

Former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Sympathies and praises for the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago poured in on Thursday from her former colleagues at the Senate as they mourned the passing of a person they considered an “idol,” a “pillar” of  Philippine politics, the “Iron Lady of Asia,”  an “intellectual giant” and a “legal luminary,” among others.

Santiago died Thursday morning after two years of battling cancer. She was 71.

READ: Miriam Defensor-Santiago passes away at 71

Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III said he was saddened with the passing of his former colleague at the Senate and former professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law .

“I would always intently listen to her when she would speak in the Senate on constitutional and international law matters. I did not always agree with her position but I always learned from her arguments,” Pimentel said in a statement.

“She also boosted my candidacy last 2013 when she endorsed me for senator. In some measure, I owe my legal knowledge and my Senate seat to her. I’m truly saddened by the passing of a friend, a mentor and my idol,” he said.

READ: Poe says feisty but maternal Santiago gave her sleepless nights

Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said Santiago’s passing marked one of the “saddest” days in the history of the Philippines.

“It is with an extreme sense of loss and grief that I join the entire country in mourning the passing of my close friend and colleague, former Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, whose unique brilliance, wit and charm endeared herself to each and very Filipino from all generations and from all walks of life,” Drilon said in another statement.

They were not only classmates in undergraduate studies at the University of the Philippines-Iloilo College and the UP College of Law, but Drilon said Santiago was also his editor in the Philippine Collegian and later on appointed him as her associate editor.

“There is no senator, past or present, who can match Senator Santiago’s uncommon brilliance and fiery dedication to her principles and beliefs. She was an intellectual giant and a legal luminary whose wit and words benefited this nation and its people so many times over,” Drilon said.

“She’s a loss to the country. She will remain an inspiration to all of us,” he added.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said his family, especially his wife, actress Heart Evangelista, expressed their deepest sympathies to the bereaved family of the late senator.

“Today, we join the Filipino people in mourning the loss of one of the finest leaders of our country, a pillar of Philippine politics, the Iron Lady of Asia, a public servant, and a friend,” Escudero said. “She may have left us, but with a great legacy that will challenge the nation to become better for the future of the coming generations, something that Senator Miriam has long been fighting for,” he said.

Other senators, who expressed their griefs over the loss of a former colleague were Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Nancy Binay, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Antonio Trillanes IV, Bam Aquino, Leila de Lima, and Joel Villanueva.

“I am saddened to know that Sen. Miriam will now be debating with a much greater body than the Philippine Senate,” Sotto said.

Villanueva said Santiago was as a “great patriot” who dedicated her life to serving the country.

“It is a very sad day for the Philippines. A notable woman who has served all three branches of the government, Senator Miriam Santiago was a great patriot who dedicated her life to serving the country,” he said.

“I am out of words to adequately express our deep gratitude for all the selfless work she has done for the country. My thoughts and prayers are with the Santiago family during this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, Senator Miriam,” Villanueva added.

Zubiri described Santiago as one of the most brilliant and dedicated public servants of our time, having served in all three branches of the government.

“The Iron Lady of Asia, as she came to be known, was admired for her fearless leadership and unquestionable honesty and integrity. Sen. Miriam was a legal luminary, an expert of constitutional law, and a champion of human rights, who inspired many, including myself, to render true and genuine service to our country,” he said.

De Lima said Santiago has personified the strength of women: to be a wife and mother, a success in her career, and a powerful social force for nation-building.

“In the midst of the political crisis that we have been experiencing as of late, her death is a sobering reminder that while our time on earth is fleeting, our service to our countrymen is eternal,” she said.

Binay said she was one of those who would stop and listen to the wise words Santiago would say in the Senate sessions.

“I knew that Sen. Miriam would be ready with her witty lines and feisty attitude,” she said. IDL/rga