Miriam Defensor-Santiago Dies At 71

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago passed away on Thursday morning, at the age of 71.

This was confirmed by her husband, lawyer Narciso "Jun" Santiago, who said that her wife died peacefully in her sleep while confined at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City. at around 8:52 a.m.

During the last stretch of her tenure as a senator, Miraim filed an indefinite leave from the Senate due to her health.

The long time senator was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer in 2014 but was able to be healed a year after she undergo treatment. However, she was hospitalized last May 30 due to lung complications.

She celebrated her 71st birthday last June 15.

Miriam, being a vocal politician, was remembered as one of the most endearing figures in Philippine politics, pop culture and academia.

She was first elected senator in 1995 and two years after, Miriam was criticized when former President Fidel Ramos initiated a people's campaign for an infinite presidential term. But Miriam won in court and preserved the people's mandate for term limits.

In 2004 and 2010, she was again elected senator, where she served as chair mostly of the foreign relations committee and the constitutional amendments committee.

For some, Miriam could be among the best presidents the Philippines never had, after having ran for government's top post three times and lost.

She lost to President Rodrigo Duterte in the May elections earlier this year when she pursued her presidential bid despite doubts cast on her health.

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe, announced Santiago's death during a Senate hearing on the freedom of information bill, which the latter supported during her tenure.

Poe offered a moment of silence and prayer for her former colleague.

Also, President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently in Vietnam, has already expressed his condolences to the late senator.

Source: Philippine Star