29 September 2016

RIP To The Best President Filipinos Never Had

RIP Miriam Santiago
Miriam Palma Defensor Santiago died today in her sleep, her husband Narciso "Jun" Santiago confirmed to the media. The native of Iloilo province was 71 years old (15 June 1945 – 29 September 2016) and survived by her husband and eldest son Archie. Her youngest son Alexander died in 2003 after a self-inflicted gun shot.

Santiago was a notable politician for having served in all three branches of the Philippine government – judicial, executive, and legislative. Some of her alma maters include University of the Philippines, University of Michigan, Oxford University, Maryhill School of Theology, University of California, Harvard University, and Cambridge University.

Santiago was also named one of The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in 1997 by The Australian magazine. In 1988, she was named laureate of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service, with a citation "for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency."

She ran in the 1992 presidential elections but was defeated in an election marred by allegations of impropriety by the victor. The quote, 'Miriam won in the elections, but lost in the counting' became popular nationwide.

She became senator of the republic in 1995 and authored the most number of laws and bills in the entire history of the Philippines. She again run for president in the 1998 presidential elections but lost after heavy black propaganda against her which were eventually proven false.

She continued her work as senator - exposed and lambasted numerous government scandals, such as the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, which led to massive outrage and triggered major reforms throughout the country. She became an icon of incorruptibility, honest government service, and constitutional law. She was given numerous awards and recognition for her fight against corruption in the country.

In 2012, she became the first Filipina and the first Asian from a developing country to be elected a judge of the International Criminal Court. However, she later resigned the post, citing chronic fatigue syndrome, which turned out to be lung cancer.

In 2016, Santiago became part of the International Advisory Council of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), an intergovernmental body that promotes the rule of law.

She has also written books in law and the social sciences as well as served three terms in the Philippine Senate.

On 13 October 2015, Santiago declared her candidacy for President of the Philippines in the 2016 elections after her doctors from the United States declared her cancer 'stable' and 'receded', but lost in the elections. She was immortalized by her supporters as 'the best president we never had'.

Known as the Dragon Lady, the Platinum Lady, the Incorruptible Lady, the Tiger Lady, and most popularly, the Iron Lady of Asia, Santiago has been battling lung cancer for 4 years before it took her.