President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago greet each other onstage before the start of the Presidential Debates 2016 held in Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City in February.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON
HANOI, Vietnam – Calling her a “graftbuster who ate death threats for breakfast, President Duterte extended his sympathies to the loved ones of the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
In a statement, the President, who is in Vietnam for a two-day official visit, expressed his deepest sorrows over Santiago’s death.
Santiago passed away on Friday at the age of 71 after battling lung cancer.
She ran but lost in the May 2016 presidential election, along with her running mate former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
READ: Miriam leaves the world ‘less wise, less bright’—Bongbong Marcos
Duterte praised the feisty senator for her “sterling career in public office.”
“She is best remembered as a graftbuster ‘eating death threats for breakfast’ earning her the title ‘Iron Lady of Asia,’” Duterte said.
He noted that as a constitutionalist, “she has always been an advocate for the rule of law.”
“Rest in peace, Madam Senator. May your legacy continue to guide this nation for many years to come,” Duterte said. CDG/rga
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