Iloilo declares day of mourning for Miriam

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Ilonggos mourned the passing of one of their own, former senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, as netizens and other leaders of the country as well as foreign diplomats paid their respects to a political giant.

Immediately after receiving the news, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog issued Executive Order No. 42, declaring a day of mourning and ordering the flying of the flag at half-mast in Iloilo City.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, Santiago’s cousin, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and congressman-son Arthur Jr. said Ilonggos would always be proud of her.

Drilon recalled that he and Miriam were classmates in their undergraduate studies at the University of the Philippines-Iloilo College and the UP College of Law, from 1961 to 1969, except for one year.

“She was my editor in the Philippine Collegian and then she appointed me as her associate editor. We would work on the Philippine Collegian every Wednesday evening. I would pick her up from the dorm at nine o’clock in the evening and work on the paper overnight,” he said.

“There is no senator, past or present, who can match senator Santiago’s uncommon brilliance and fiery dedication to her principles and beliefs. She was an intellectual giant and a legal luminary whose wit and words benefited this nation and its people so many times over,” Drilon said.

Jewel and pillar

Vice President Leni Robredo joined the nation in mourning the death of Santiago and thanked her and her family for her long career in public service.

“May her life serve as an inspiration and example to women, the youth and to all our fellow Filipinos,” Robredo said.

Former vice president Jejomar Binay, who was Santiago’s rival in the last presidential elections, said “we will remember Miriam for fiery and sharp rhetoric that has defined her public persona.”

“Those of us who have known her since college would remember Miriam as a caring and sincere woman whose discipline and intellect made her one of the nation’s greatest leaders,” Binay said.

Former president Benigno Aquino III, a former colleague of the late senator, said he would personally pay his last respects to Santiago.

Aquino’s predecessor, Pampanga Rep. and Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said she was joining the nation “in grieving the death of a dear and true friend and loyal ally.” 

Arroyo praised Santiago for her “brilliance” and “eloquence” as well as commitment to good governance. “The Philippines has lost a truly outstanding and irreplaceable leader in Senator Miriam,” she said. 

Former president Fidel Ramos, who defeated Santiago in the 1992 presidential elections, described her as “a true soldier who fought fiercely for what she strongly believed in – and died with her boots on, still standing tall.”

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, also a former president, said the country lost another “jewel” and “pillar” in the Senate. “She was the best lady senator among the best senators of the country,” Estrada said.

Social media darling

Facebook user Terri Amador said in her post, “Senator Miriam Santiago had said in an interview that she didn’t want to be remembered for her sterling achievements in public service for, she said, ‘What would I care six feet underground?’”

“And yet we all agree to remember. And yet we all care. Farewell, madam! The Philippine nation and its people salute you!” she added.

The top diplomats of the United States and United Kingdom in the Philippines also expressed sadness and sympathies to the family of Santiago.

“Sad about @senmiriam’s passing after a valiant struggle. Honored to know her. Rest in peace,” US Ambassador Philip Goldberg said on his Twitter account.

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad said on Twitter: “My most enduring memory of Sen. Miriam Defensor was at her home when I retold her Filipino biopic story (and) she joked she had not seen it!”

Rights advocate Susan Ople, daughter of the late senator Blas Ople, said Santiago would forever be remembered for her laughter and would serve as standard for every senator.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Helen Flores, Mayen Jaymalin, Pia Lee-Brago