Miriam ‘shining light’ ng Philippine politics

MANILA, Philippines - Itinuturing ng Malacañang na liwanag sa mun­do ng pulitika si Sen. Miriam Santiago kasabay ng pakikiramay ni Pangulong Duterte sa mga naulila ng yumaong senadora.

“She was a shining light in Philippine political annals for her sharp legal mind, uncompromising stand, and acid humor. She had a profound influence on millennials and the youth, constantly challenging preconceived notions both political and social. Her passing also signals passing of era of politicians with wide ranging intelligence and courage to express their true conviction,” pahayag ni Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella.

Sinabi ni Pangulong Duterte, dapat alalahanin ng taumbayan ang pagtindig ni Sen. Santiago sa paglaban sa corruption at pagrespeto sa rule of law.

“Senator Santiago has left a sterling career in public office. She is best remembered as a graftbuster ‘eating death threats for breakfast,’ earning her the Iron Lady of Asia,” wika ni Pangulong Duterte na tinapos kagabi ang 2-araw na working visit nito dito.

“A constitutionalist, she has always been an advocate for the rule of law,” dagdag ni Pangulong Rody.

“Rest in peace, Madam Senator. May your legacy continue to guide this nation for many years to come,” giit pa ni Duterte sa pamamaalam sa isang kaibigan.

“I’m saddened with the news of the passing of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who was my professor in the UP College of Law and who became for a short period of time my colleague in the Senate…. I’m  saddened by her passing. Saddened more by the fact that I wasn’t able to visit her last days with us,” pahayag naman ni Senate President Koko Pimentel.

Ikinalungkot din ni Sen. Chiz Escudero ang pagpanaw ni Santiago na na­ging daan upang magkalapit sila ng asawang si Heart Evangelista.

Sinabi naman ni Sen. Cynthia Villar na maituturing na icon ng mga kababaihan si Santiago at posibleng hindi na tayo makakita ng isang lider na babae na kasing tapang at kasing galing nito. 

Ayon naman kay House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez na sa pagpanaw ni Santiago ay nawalan ang bansa ng pinaka-vocal at matapang na tagapagtanggol ng ating soberenya, pambansang interes  at pinaka-kinakatakutan sa kampanya kontra katiwalian.

Sabi ng Speaker na, mami-miss ng samba­ya­nang Pilipino hindi lamang ang makulay na salita ni Santiago na lumatay sa mga palpak na opisyal ng gobyerno kundi pati ang talino at pagpapatawa nito na naging dahilan para mahalin ang Senador kahit ng mga kabataan.