Quezon City 1st district Rep. Arjo Atayde (In photo, left) reflects on the importance of the bill that seeks to rename Agham Road and BIR Road after the beloved late senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (right).
(Photos from Facebook, Wikipedia)
Cong Arjo reflects on passage of bill honoring Miriam
At a glance
A fitting tribute to the "Iron Lady of Asia".
That's how Quezon City 1st district Rep. Arjo Atayde envisions House Bill (HB) No.7413, also known as "An Act renaming the Agham Road and the BIR Road, stretching from North Avenue, traversing through Quezon Avenue up to East Avenue, all located in Quezon City, as Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue".
Atayde is one of the principal authors of the bill, which seeks to honor the beloved late former senator, Santiago.
The actor-turned-congressman said renaming Agham and BIR Roads to "Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue" would be "a fitting tribute for one of Quezon City's most illustrious residents".
"This will help us remember Senator Miriam's outstanding career in government, and inspire those who may want to follow in her footsteps in public service," added Atayde.
The House of Representatives approved HB No.7413 on third and final reading last March 21, or two days before the chamber began it's six-week summer recess.
"Senator Miram Defensor-Santiago was a fiery, feisty lawmaker who in her years in government proved her integrity, intelligence, and courage. Her tongue was as sharp as her intellect, and she used both to fight for the welfare of our countrymen," Atayde said.
Santiago was the first Filipino and Asian to be elected a judge in the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Ilongga senator would also earn titles such as "Dragon Lady," the "Iron Lady of Asia," and the "Incorruptible Lady".
Atayde noted that Santiago was the first woman to be awarded the Quezon Service Cross, the nation's highest honor. She was also awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Santiago died from complications of lung cancer on Sept. 29, 2016. She was 71.