Former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s hometown declares day of mourning.
Iloilo City has declared September 29, Thursday, as a day of mourning for the passing of former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who is a native of the city.
8:52A.M when the late senator died where her husband Atty. Jun Santiago confirmed the news that Miriam has died in her sleep this morning.
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog issued the Executive Order No. 42. It also ordered that flags be at half-mast in Iloilo City from September 29 until October 17.
“The Iloilo City government is one with the nation in expressing its sadness and grief over the death of former Senator Miriam Palma Defensor-Santiago,” said the order.
“Defensor-Santiago has brought pride and honor to all Ilonggos by serving in all three branches of the Philippine government during her lifetime,” said the city.
Santiago was born in Iloilo City on June 15, 1945, and now her mother is living at La Paz district.
Santiago passed away Thursday morning after a long bout with stage 4 lung cancer which she revealed on year 2014.
Malacanang on Thursday joined the nation in mourning Santiago, saying her death signaled the end of an era in Philippine politics.
“Her passing also signals the passing of an era of politicians with wide ranging intelligence and the courage to express their true convictions,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
“She was a shining light in Philippine political annals for her sharp legal mind, uncompromising stand and acid humor,” Abella said.
Abella also acknowledged Santiago’s “profound influence” on the youth.
Before her death, the late senator managed to serve in all three branches of government. She was a former presiding judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court; immigration commissioner, agrarian reform secretary; and a senator for three terms from 1995 to 2001 and 2004 to 2016.
Santiago got two million votes in the last presidential elections in May 2016 and maintained one of the most active social media communities among the candidates.