Miriam Defensor-Santiago as female icon of 21st century

MANILA, Philippines — She was one of the most decorated female icons of our time and the most sought after Filipino public figure of the 21st century.

At 71, Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s accomplishments as a mother, wife, judge, teacher, writer, lawyer and  senator were unsurpassed. Her track record both as a public official and as a private individual was unblemished. 

Santiago could still be getting more awards and accolades, especially from millennials who continue to quote her colorful words, if she were alive today. In life and death, Santiago continued to inspire Filipinos. 

Two years after her death due to lung cancer, awards from a grateful nation continued to shower on her. In December 2018, President Duterte conferred the Quezon Service Cross Award on Santiago in Malacañang. The President expressed the nation’s gratitude to the feisty senator and to her family members who received the posthumous award.

“I am deeply honored to lead the Filipino people in conferring to the late senator the Quezon Service Cross, the highest recognition for outstanding civilian service by the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.

Santiago’s stellar career and shining commitment to public service, said Duterte, truly reflected her academic, professional and moral excellence. 

“Senator Santiago’s skills, intellect and dedication to public service had been recognized by various organizations in the Philippines and around the world, the most prestigious of which is the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s counterpart of the Nobel Prize, for Government Service,” Duterte said then.

As the “Iron Lady of Asia,” Santiago was unrelenting in her campaign against graft and corruption in the government. She was a legal officer of the United Nations in Geneva, a regional trial court judge in Quezon City, a commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, a secretary of agrarian reform and a senator for three terms. 

She was the first Filipino and the only Asian to be elected judge to the International Criminal Court. However, she was not able to serve in the prestigious international body as she had to step down because of her illness.

On the third anniversary of her death today, relatives and friends will celebrate her legacy through a mass for the late senator at 10 a.m. at the EDSA Shangrila in Pasig City.  

“We miss Miriam’s laughter and warmth that used to fill our house,” said her husband, former Undersecretary Narciso Santiago Jr.

“But we find solace in the fact that many Filipinos continue to miss my wife, particularly during Senate hearings and debates,” he added.