Family and friends gathered to solemnly commemorate the 78th birth anniversary of the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Thursday, June 15, at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
A mass, presided by Santiago’s uncle, Dominican Fr. Virgilio Ojoy, and Fr. Lito Santos, the parish priest of Barangka, Marikina City, was held at 10 a.m. at her burial site in the cemetery.
A mass is held to commemorate the 78th birth anniversary of late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on June 15, 2023 at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. (Noel Pabalate / MANILA BULLETIN)
Leading the intimate ceremony were her husband and former undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Atty. Narciso Santiago Jr., and their daughters Mechel, Mea, and Molly.
Among the guests who attended the ceremony to pay their respects to the late senator were former Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares Jr., former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr.; La Paz, Tarlac Mayor Venustiano Jordan; Gen. Elmo San Diego, and People's Reform Party (PRP) Vice President Rey David.
Flowers were offered at Santiago’s tomb, which was blessed with holy water by Fr. Ojoy and the members of the Santiago family.
Strong in mind and heart
During the homily, Fr. Ojoy recalled Santiago as a headstrong, willful force who spoke her mind, called out misdeeds in the government, and held people accountable throughout her political career.
She was a woman who was "ready to fight for justice and peace, that only has pure intentions for the nation," and amid her illness, "wanted to serve her beloved country to the end of her days."
Atty. Narciso Santiago Jr. blesses the tomb of his wife, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, on her 78th birth anniversary on June 15, 2023 at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. (Noel Pabalate / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Many Filipinos miss Senator Miriam, the one whose words, actions, life preceded from a heart that sought the good, and from a mind that hungered for the truth," Fr. Ojoy said.
"Senator Miriam's heart and mind was overflowing with love for God, for Filipinos, for her beloved country – the Philippines," he added.
Role model to Filipinos
Atty. Santiago Jr. expressed his gratitude to all the people who have recognized and shown love throughout the life of his late wife, especially to those who joined them in commemorating the anniversary of her birth.
"Ang buhay ni former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago ay nilaan niya sa pagsisilbi sa bayan at sa ating mga Pilipino. Pinakita niya na pinakikipaglaban niya ang karapatan at kabutihan nating mga Pilipino (Former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago dedicated her life to serving the country and the nation. She showed that she was willing to fight for the rights and uphold the goodness of Filipinos)," Santiago told the press.
"Sana ay maging huwarang siya ng ating mga kababayan para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa (May she become an example to our fellow countrymen for the betterment of our country)," he added.
Atty. Narciso Santiago Jr., Sen. Miriam's husband, delivers a message to commemorate her 78th birth anniversary on June 15, 2023 at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. (Noel Pabalate / MANILA BULLETIN)
Born on June 15, 1945, Santiago was a renowned figure in Philippine political history whose tenacity, wit, honesty, and anti-graft and corruption agenda earned her the name “Iron Lady of Asia.”
She served as senator for three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2001, 2004 to 2010, and 2010 to 2016.
Prior to becoming a senator, Santiago was the commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation from 1988 to 1989, and secretary of Agrarian Reform in 1989.
She was a presiding judge at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court RTC Branch 106 from 1983 to 1987, a legal officer in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland from 1979 to 1980, and the president and founder of the People’s Reform Party in 1991.
Santiago was also the first Filipino and first Southeast Asian from a developing country to be elected as a judge in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2011, a position she waived after being diagnosed with cancer.
She was a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, considered as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1988.
She notably ran for president thrice during the elections in 1992, 1998, and 2016.
Santiago, then 71, died of lung cancer in September 2016.