Short biography of miriam defensor santiago

Filipina politician, former Statesman, lawyer, and author (1945–2016)

In that Philippine name for married women, nobleness birth middle name or protective family name is Palma, position birth surname or paternal coat name is Defensor, and glory marital name is Santiago.

Miriam Defensor Santiago
Defensor Santiago reliably 2012
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2016
In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2001
In office March 11, 2012 – June 4, 2014
Nominated by	Philippines
Appointed by	Assembly of States Parties
Succeeded by	Raul Pangalangan
In office July 22, 2013 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Loren Legarda
Succeeded by	Alan Peter Cayetano
In office July 20, 1989 – January 4, 1990
President	Corazon Aquino
Preceded by	Philip Juico
Succeeded by	Florencio Abad
Born	Miriam Palma Defensor (1945-06-15)June 15, 1945 Iloilo City, Philippine Commonwealth
Died	September 29, 2016(2016-09-29) (aged 71) Taguig, Philippines
Resting place	Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina
Political party	People's Rectify Party (1991–2016)
Spouse	Narciso Y. Santiago Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	Narciso D. Santiago III Alexander Robert Succession. Santiago
Alma mater	University of the Archipelago Visayas (BA) University of the State Diliman (LL.B) University of Michigan (LL.M, SJD) Maryhill School of Theology (MA)
Signature
Website	Official website

Miriam Palma Defensor-SantiagoGCSQSC (née Palma Defensor; June 15, 1945 – Sep 29, 2016) was a Country scholar, academic, lawyer, judge, hack, and stateswoman who served ton all three branches of justness Philippine government: judicial, executive, contemporary legislative.

Defensor Santiago was person's name one of The 100 Cap Powerful Women in the Replica in 1997 by The Australian.^[1] She was known for gaze a long-serving Senator of goodness Republic of the Philippines, more than ever elected judge of the Supranational Criminal Court, and the lone female recipient of the Philippines' highest national honor, the Quezon Service Cross.

In 1988, Defensor Santiago was named laureate appreciated the Ramon Magsaysay Award energy government service, with a quotation for bold and moral administration in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency.^[2][3][4][5] After being tailor-made accoutred by President Corazon Aquino chimpanzee Secretary of Agrarian Reform let alone 1989 to 1990, she ran in the 1992 presidential selection but was controversially defeated pin down events that involved a crash injury and power outages during voting process.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]} Defensor Metropolis would then serve three damage in the Philippine Senate, vicinity she was known for connection progressive laws, and authored up-to-the-minute campaigned anti-corruption bills.^[12][13] After pester president Joseph Estrada was take in on April 25, 2001, she was among the politicians who spoke against EDSA II trim pro-Estrada rallies that preceded rectitude May 1 riots near Malacañang Palace.

In 2012, Defensor Port became the first Filipina famous the first Asian from unembellished developing country to be first-rate a judge of the Supranational Criminal Court.^[14] She later philosophical the post,^[15] citing chronic weakness syndrome, which turned out take in hand be lung cancer.^[16][17]

On October 13, 2015, Defensor Santiago controversially proclaimed her third candidacy for Chief honcho of the Philippines in representation 2016 election after her doctors from the United States avowed her cancer "stable" and "receded", but lost the election advantage to public concern for in return health.

In April 2016, jettison last appointed post was potential of the International Development Paw Organization Advisory Council (IDLO), sting intergovernmental body that promotes picture rule of law.^[18][19] She grand mal from complications from her someone on September 29, 2016, extort was buried days later give in Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

In December 2018, the estimable Quezon Service Cross was posthumously conferred upon Defensor Santiago, manufacture her the first woman ray, so far, only Visayan give orders to the sixth person ever cut into be enthroned in the country's highest roster.^[20]

Defensor Santiago was famous as the Dragon Lady, distinction Platinum Lady, the Incorruptible Eve, the Impregnable Lady, Feisty Congresswoman, The Doctor of All Post, the Omniscient Woman and governing popularly, the Iron Lady admire Asia.

She is colloquially cloak in Philippine pop culture variety simply Miriam or MDS,^[21][22] station is positively cited for uncultivated lifelong dedication to public boasting in the Philippine government.^[23][24][25]

Early discrimination and education

Defensor Santiago was inhabitant Miriam Palma Defensor in Iloilo City, to Benjamin Defensor, neat as a pin local judge, and Dimpna Palma, a college dean.

She was the eldest of seven lineage. She graduated valedictorian in children's school, high school, undergraduate school.^[26] She graduated high school intensity Iloilo Provincial High School (now Iloilo National High School) point of view served as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the said high school's student publication "The Ilonggo".

Shoulder 1965, Defensor Santiago graduated be in connection with a Bachelor of Arts condition in political science, magna cum laude from the University observe the Philippines Visayas. After gamut, she was elected to righteousness Pi Gamma Mu and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.^[27]

She proceeded to the University of justness Philippines College of Law.

Contemporary, she was champion in abundant oratorical contests and debates.^[1] She became the first female editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Philippine Collegian, and was coupled appointed ROTC muse.^[28][29] She progressive Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, from the University of high-mindedness Philippines College of Law bind Diliman.^[30]

Defensor Santiago went on practised fellowship to the United States, and earned the Master presentation Laws and Doctor of Judgelike Science degrees at the Establishing of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

She finished both degrees in regular period of only one cope with a half years.^[30] Following college, she took a position pass for special assistant to the Hack of Justice. She also outright political science at the Leash University of Asia. She was law professor at the Dogma of the Philippines Diliman, doctrine evening classes for some runny years.^[31][32] Her hero as unadorned lawyer and legislator growing block of flats was Arturo M.

Tolentino.^[33]

She has studied at several universities, inclusive of Oxford and Harvard law summertime schools; Cambridge; and The Hague Academy of International Law. She earned the degree Master endorse Religious Studies (without thesis) surprise victory the Maryhill School of Theology.^[1]

In Oxford, she was a check fellow at St.

Hilda's College^[34] and also took a summertime program in law at Trial. Edmund's Hall.^{[citation needed]} At City, she was a research individual at the Lauterpacht Research Middle for International Law.^[35]

Career

Department of Justice

Defensor-Santiago became a special assistant trigger the Secretary of Justice work ten years after her superior studies abroad.^[36]

United Nations

From 1979 fit in 1980,^[37] Defensor Santiago served whereas Legal Officer of the Operate High Commissioner for Refugees discuss Geneva, Switzerland.

She was determined to the Conferences and Treaties Section. She became skilled concede defeat treaty negotiation and drafting. She resigned her position when repulse father in the Philippines handsome prostate cancer.^[38]

Judge during martial law

Defensor Santiago was appointed judge pan the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City, Metro Paper by President Ferdinand Marcos.

She was the youngest judge prescribed to Metro Manila, and liberated from the practice of regulate serving as a judge away Metro Manila.^[5] As a RTC judge, she quickly implement exceptional "no postponement" policy. At stroll time, cases were tried walk heavily segments that were usually straight month apart, resulting in trials that took years to section.

Lawyers were prone to inquiries postponement of trial. As splendid result, trial judges scheduled reach or fifteen cases a fair, so that they could false up for cases postponed. Defensor Santiago scheduled only five cases a day, heard each plead with, and disposed of the chief number of cases in relation first year in office.

^{[citation needed]}

Defensor Santiago became nationally renowned when she issued perhaps blue blood the gentry first decision to rule be against martial law. At that over and over again, alleged illegal public assemblies were declared as crimes and were punishable by death. ^{[citation needed]} A large group of quirky students from the University heed the Philippines and Ateneo, owing to well as activists in class film industry, staged a improvement in a central business limited, and denounced the First Girl for her excesses.

To give tit for tat, Marcos issued a Preventive Incarceration Action order which authorized leadership military to hold suspects sine die without bail. The students not guilty the dire prospect of not there their final exams and, rationalize many of them, missing hierarchy. Defensor Santiago suspended hearings interconnect all other pending cases, essential conducted whole-day trials.

In loftiness end, she ordered the brave to allow the students taking place post bail. After promulgating jettison decision at the end medium the day, Defensor Santiago horde herself to the state routine, where she was teaching injure. The Philippine Jaycees, the Filipino Lions, and the YMCA Land all gave her awards sustenance judicial excellence.^[1]

Immigration Commissioner

After martial omission, in 1988, President Corazon Aquino appointed Defensor Santiago as nuncio of the Bureau of Inmigration and Deportation.^[1] At that repulse, the BID was one penalty the most corrupt government agencies in Southeast Asia.

Defensor Port declared the Philippines as "the fake passport capital of excellence world", and directed raids overwhelm criminal syndicates, including the Yakuza. She filled the CID captivity center with alien criminals, increase in intensity ordered construction of another imprisonment center. She extended to permissible aliens protection from widespread oppression by requesting President Aquino hold on to issue an executive order put off authorized the "alien legalization program".^[39]

She received serious death threats, however proclaimed: "I eat death threats for breakfast".^[1][8] A member slow the House of Representatives, Lake Rep.

Nereo Joaquin, delivered spruce up privilege speech in 1992 squeeze denounced her raids against degenerate communities in Central Luzon enquiry by alien pedophiles. Defensor Port responded by calling him "fungus face".^[1][40]

The Rockefeller Foundation named repudiate a laureate of the Magsaysay Award for government service – "for bold and moral dominance in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency."^[2][3][4][5]

Agrarian Reform Secretary

President Corazon Aquino promoted Defensor Santiago simulation member of her cabinet, gorilla Secretary of Agrarian Reform.^[9][41] Mess a controversial law passed exceed Congress and signed by Steersman Aquino, all agricultural landholdings were taken by the government famous divided among the farmers.

Compete landowner was allowed to short vacation only five hectares, and contravention farmer received three hectares. Play a part was in bonds of influence Land Bank. To subvert probity law, big landowners applied form conversion of the classification distinctive their land as agricultural, get paid classification as commercial, residential, exalt industrial.

The process became justness widespread "conversion scandal of country reform". The DAR officials yourself were the biggest culprits, since they sold conversion permits championing bribes on a market take set at certain amounts adequate hectare involved in the transmutation. Defensor Santiago stopped the amendment scandal, and appeased the cream by enhancing the incentives supply voluntary offers by the gentlefolk for the sale of their landholdings, which entitled them run alongside an additional five percent hard cash payment.

When asked if nobility hacienda belonging to the president's family should be covered saturate agrarian reform, Defensor Santiago replied that the family's hacienda be distributed among the farmers. Shortly thereafter President Aquino pitch Defensor Santiago's resignation.^[42]

Main article: 1992 Philippine presidential election

Defensor Santiago's drive for President of the State was confirmed on February 19, 1990.^[43] She later organized righteousness People's Reform Party (PRP) additional ran with a senatorial slate during the 1992 presidential push.

Ramon Magsaysay Jr. was repulse running mate. While campaigning public disgrace April 28, 1991, she was severely injured in car crash,^[6] which she claimed was keep you going assassination attempt.^[44] She was irksome a white bush jacket which became splattered with blood prowl gushed from a wound deal her head.

On orders be partial to President Aquino, she was airlifted from Tarlac to a Fawn hospital. She underwent surgery put out the jaw, and at ambush point a Catholic priest administered the last rites of ethics dying. Two months later, she was back on the motivation trail.^[45] Defensor Santiago has antiquated dubbed as "The Iron Muhammedan of Asia" and the "Dragon Lady" due to her damaging but bold eloquence both load leadership and writing.

She cites physicist Marie Curie and rankle British Prime Minister Margaret Stateswoman as her major influences near here her political career, with Stateswoman praising her for her reservation Cutting Edge during their under enemy control while the Prime Minister visited the Philippines.^[46]

Defensor Santiago was meaningful the canvassing of votes senseless the first five days.^[7] Mass a string of power outages, the tabulation concluded, and Ramos was declared president-elect.

Defensor Port filed a protest before picture Supreme Court as electoral belt, citing the power outages close to the counting of votes by the same token evidence of massive fraud. Laid back election protest was eventually unemployed on a technicality.^{[1][8][9][10][11]}

The public provoke over the presidential results prompted Newsweek to feature her be first her rival on the shield with the question: "Was magnanimity Election Fair?" In another keep going story, Philippines Free Press paper asked: "Who's the Real President?".

The quote, 'Miriam won twist the elections but lost mosquito the counting' was popularized hard the masses.^[1]

Senator

First term, 1995–2001; EDSA II and III

Defensor Santiago was first elected senator in 1995. In 1997, her presidential contender Fidel Ramos initiated a "people's campaign" for an infinite statesmanly term.

Defensor Santiago harshly criticized Ramos' campaign and went sound out court. In a landmark occurrence, Defensor Santiago vs COMELEC, she won and preserved the people's mandate for term limits. She again ran for president providential the 1998 presidential elections, look after running-mate Francisco Tatad, but gone amidst heavy propaganda concerning disgruntlement mental health, which was subsequent proven false.^[47] In 2000, she filed in the Senate probity first version of the anti-discrimination bill which would later grasp the SOGIE Equality Bill.^[48]

She was one of the senators who were against goodness opening of the brown jacket during the impeachment trial past its best then-President Joseph Estrada, who was her foe in the 1998 presidential elections.

She said afterwards:

At that time, I wanted take care of apply the rules of dull technically. Since there is maladroit thumbs down d allegation of wrongdoing in closure with the notorious second shell, I voted that we forced to not open the second covering until and after the reaction had already been amended [...] I was among those demonized because I voted against loftiness opening of the second gasbag – dahil ang paniwala shifting taong bayan, kung ayaw namin buksan ang second envelope na 'yan, may tinatago kami.

(translation from Filipino: because in character belief of the masses in case we don't want to running off the envelope, then we capture hiding something.)

Estrada was ousted select by ballot the Second EDSA Revolution be thankful for January 2001 and succeeded encourage Vice President Gloria Macapagal Gully, which Defensor Santiago considered dishonourable under the Philippine Constitution terminate to the lack of boss formal resignation from Estrada.^[49][50] Block out her vehement support for Estrada, she once mentioned that she will jump off an aeroplane without a parachute if Estrada is arrested.^[51][52] After Estrada's nick on April 25, 2001, Defensor Santiago would join other politicians in attending and speaking trim pro-Estrada rallies held in goodness succeeding days at EDSA Holy place, where she demanded the abandonment of Arroyo and her broad cabinet and the reinstatement as a result of Estrada as president lest depiction protesters storm Malacañang Palace.^[53][54][55] Grandeur rallies she spoke in were soon followed by the Might 1 riots initiated by representation rallyists going to Malacañang, at reporters from the Philippine Habitual Inquirer noted their attempts simulation storm the institution's premises questionnaire preceded by statements from City the previous night that went: "I am bored.

Let's quite a distance wait for the military unthinkable police. Let's do it, efficient us. Now!"^[56] After the Might 1 incident, Santiago remained belligerent in her stance against goodness Arroyo presidency,^[57] and was denounced by her cousin, Governor Character Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, fetch her rhetoric.^[58]

Defensor Santiago lost re-election to the Senate in 2001.^[59] Estrada would later be pardoned by President Arroyo on Oct 26, 2007.^[60]

Second and third nickname, 2004–2016

Defensor Santiago ran for statesman in 2004 and was choice.

She ran again for mp in 2010 and won. Through her three terms, she served as chair mostly of integrity foreign relations committee and probity constitutional amendments committee.^[37] She was elected as official candidate show her party People's Reform Crowd, serving also as chair misplace the Foreign Affairs Committee make known the Commission on Appointments.

She exposed and named numerous jueteng (illegal gambling) lords and illegal-logging lords throughout her terms.^[61]

In 2011, Defensor Santiago was elected since a judge of the Cosmopolitan Criminal Court (ICC) which hears cases against humanity for earlier heads of state. She was the first Asian from out third-world country to be elective to such a post.

She resigned in 2014 after state diagnosed with lung cancer. She was one of the unite senators who voted against say publicly conviction of Supreme Court Leader Justice Renato Corona during fillet impeachment trial; Corona was in step found guilty for his insufficiency to disclose to the uncover his statement of assets, fifty-one and net worth.^[62]

In December 2012, she exposed that the Congress president, Juan Ponce Enrile, lazy Senate funds to give mistreatment as cash gifts.

Every ward-heeler, except Defensor Santiago and shine unsteadily others, received ₱2 million.^[63][64] That led to the Priority Circumstance Assistance Fund scandal, which place the Senate president behind exerciser with charges of plunder. Defensor Santiago's live Senate hearings send the case led to market outrage and support for Defensor Santiago's call to abolish distinction pork barrel system.^[65]

She was depiction first Filipino elected as clean commissioner for the International System Law Organization (IDLO) in 2016.

Her role in the lodge was advisory to the ecumenical law community.^[66]

Select laws authored

Among picture laws that Defensor Santiago authored are:

• Reproductive Health Act a choice of 2012, which instills reproductive disease education throughout the nation, allow was backed by the lion's share of the population while criticized by religious institutions in magnanimity predominantly Roman Catholic country.^[67]
• Sin Duty Law, which improved the dues of the country and slipshod to the economic revolutions lose concentration bolstered Philippine shares.^[68]
• Climate Change At peace of 2009, which mandated influence entire nation to become swell bastion for climate change receptiveness, mitigation, adaptation, and management.^[69]
• Renewable Influence Act of 2008, which mandated the government to shift nobleness energy source of the land from coal and oil bitemark solar, wind, and other renewable sources – this became character foundation for the establishment bring into play numerous wind and solar plants in the country which indebted the Philippines the 'Wind Verve Capital of Southeast Asia'.^[70]
• Philippine Split on Crimes Against International Well-disposed Law, which safeguarded human claim in the entire nation.^[71]
• Magna Carta of Women, which protected birth rights of women in leadership country.^[72]
• Unified Student Financial Assistance Formula for Tertiary Education (Unifast) Delay, which enhanced the educational arrangement in the country, paving become rancid for the intellectual revolution impossible to differentiate urban and rural areas.^[73]
• Cybercrime Present of 2012, which protected class nation and its people pass up cybercrimes which infested the country's cyberspace.^[74]
• Department of Information and Note Technology Act, which established significance Department of Information and Spoken communication Technology for better information transmission and better internet speed encompass the country
• Archipelagic Baselines Act beat somebody to it 2009, which became one flawless the major bases for influence country's claims on maritime hegemony, including the South China Sea.^[75]

Further information: 2016 Philippine presidential election

Main article: Miriam Defensor Santiago 2016 presidential campaign

In October 2015, Defensor Santiago announced her intention handle run in the 2016 Filipino presidential election after her swelling was deemed 'stable' and 'receded' by doctors from the Pooled States.^[45][76] She later confirmed depart Senator Bongbong Marcos would minister to as her running mate care for vice president.

Her campaign punctilious on the youth sector expose which she heavily advocated, formation use of social media. She was a landslide winner control numerous polls conducted in many public and private universities prep added to colleges in the country. Disdain this, she lost in illustriousness elections.^[77] Defensor Santiago was then called "the greatest president surprise never had",^[78] a title which had been associated with her walking papers prior to her presidential enquiry.

The Youth for Miriam, splendid youth group that supported go to pieces on the campaign, rebranded in that Youth Reform Movement and supported a standalone organization that bears her writings and literature restructuring philosophical pillars.

Retirement

Before her eliminate, various groups in the nation have been lauding her make ill join the candidacy for loftiness Association of Southeast Asian Altruism Secretary-General post where the elect Secretary-General will be positioned portend 2018.

Among other candidates be thankful for the position are AirAsia central Tony Fernandes of Malaysia abstruse an unstated representative from Sultanate, which is the lead homeland for 2018–2022 according to tradition.^[81]

She was branded a "Distinguished Figure of Legal Excellence and Uncover Service" by the University pick up the tab the Philippines in September 2016,^[82] and posthumously the "PUP On the net Personality of the Year Award" by the Polytechnic University retard the Philippines in November 2016.^[83]

Death

At the age of 71, Defensor Santiago died in her uneasiness at exactly 8:52 a.m.

PHT (UTC+08:00) on September 29, 2016, extent she was confined at decency St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City in Taguig flight lung cancer; several reports unimportant that Defensor Santiago died trudge her residence in La Scene Subdivision, Quezon City.^[84][85] Santiago's solid words according to her mate were, "I accept this.

Beside oneself do not want to come loose anything heroic."^[86] While her only remaining wish was to remain one in the memory of concoct own family,^[87] her body terrain in state at the Sanctuary Grottos of the Immaculate Inception Cathedral in Cubao the next day.^[88]

Following a Catholic funeral Mountain, she was interred at loftiness Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina on October 2, beside righteousness tomb of her son, Herb, who died in 2003.^[89][90][91] Santiago's hometown, Iloilo City, declared dialect trig day of mourning for Defensor Santiago^[92] and flew the Filipino flag half-mast from September 29 – October 17, 2016.

Nobleness local government said in gargantuan official statement that Defensor City 'brought pride and honor let your hair down all Ilonggos'.^[93]

In June 2017, affiliates of the Youth Reform Current lobbied for the posthumous prize of the Quezon Service Drench to Defensor Santiago. In Sep 2017, Senator Grace Poe, become known freedom of information (FOI) from tip to toe and 2016 presidential rival, scheduled Defensor Santiago to be awarded the Quezon Service Cross, significance highest honor in the broad Republic, subject for approval in this area both houses of Congress pivotal by President Rodrigo Duterte, who was another 2016 presidential emulator.

On the same month, Member of parliament Sonny Angara, who considers Defensor Santiago as his mentor, followed suit by filing another grit nominating Defensor Santiago to agree with a laureate of the pre-eminent Quezon Service Cross, just cycle before Defensor Santiago's first eliminate anniversary on September 29. Nobleness Senate expressed its full target to confer Defensor Santiago distinction award.^[94] The president, through nobility Malacañang Palace, welcomed the place to bestow the award improve Defensor Santiago once both abodes of Congress have ratified loftiness document conferring such award.^[95] Magnanimity House of Representatives is decency only body left that has yet to express its entity to bestow the award deceive Defensor Santiago.

Most members identical the House are against Defensor Santiago's anti-political dynasty bill which she introduced in Congress. Santiago's bill is backed by illustriousness Constitution itself, where it mandates both chambers of Congress be familiar with enact such a law.^[96]

On Dec 5, 2017, the president on the record nominated Defensor Santiago for character award, awaiting concurrence of both chambers of Congress to ostensibly bestow the award.

Defensor City is the sixth person stream the first and only wife to be nominated for position award. She is the 6th person to be immortalized see the point of the 69-year old national roster.^[97][98] On December 11, 2017, justness Senate approved the bestowing mention the award to Defensor Santiago.^[99] On February 20, 2018, description House of Representatives approved integrity bestowing of the award plan Defensor Santiago.^[100] On December 3, 2018, the prestigious Quezon Team Cross was officially posthumously presented upon Santiago, making her decency sixth recipient and first good turn only woman to be play a part in the country's highest honor and roster.^[20]

On October 12, 2023, Republic Act No.

11963 was enacted to jointly rename Agham Road and BIR Road follow Triangle Park, Quezon City hoot Senator Miriam P. Defensor City Avenue in her honor.^[101]

Political positions

Domestic policy

Federalism

See also: Federalism in influence Philippines

Defensor Santiago is not worry favor of federalism, stating mull it over one interview that if ethics country would turn Federalist, "[That] the masses and the comprehensive electorate will not [be high-status to] choose who the mr big will be.

We leave dump choice to a group ferryboat politicians, and we know trade show those politicians act. Mostly, their actions are always attended saturate corruption."^[102]

Charter Change

See also: Constitutional emend in the Philippines

Defensor Santiago was in favor of amending magnanimity Constitution of the Philippines chisel enhance foreign investments in leadership country and to mandate guarantee all high posts in command (senator, representative, president, vice the man, governor, mayor, vice mayor, secretaries, undersecretaries, etc.) should have extra qualifications which are 'a institute graduate' and must pass unmixed duly-accredited government examination.

Numerous politicians in the country are solitary high school or elementary graduates, and most college graduate officialdom have never passed the Laic Service Examination for Professionals (CSE-P). She argues that positions be given government like administrative assistant blight pass the CSE-P as cool qualification, 'why not higher posts too?'.^[103]

Santiago, the then chairwoman remind the Senate committee on fundamental amendments, said she was enjoy favor of shifting to spick parliamentary form of government break open 2011.^[104]

Anti-political dynasty

See also: Political dynasties in the Philippines

Defensor Santiago was the principal author of honesty Anti-Dynasty Bill in the Mother of parliaments and had been pushing care for its immediate passage in Intercourse for more than a decade.^[105]

South China Sea dispute

See also: Protective disputes in the South Partner Sea

She stressed during a animate debate that the South Crockery Sea is a sovereign habitat of the Philippines and think it over the country should have uncluttered better military and police authority and assets and should rank enhancing ties with allied generosity, especially in the Association perfect example Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).^[106] She was one of the universal law experts who criticized Wife buddy and aided in the Filipino case against China.

The circumstance was won by the Archipelago in 2016. Despite this, Partner still does not recognize honesty ruling.^[107]

Mindanao

See also: Moro conflict

Defensor Metropolis was against the Bangsamoro Number one Law, saying it is unauthorized because it specifies that Bangsamoro will become a 'sub-state' have a high regard for the republic which is interdicted under the law.

She prefers a more constitutional form hint the Bangsamoro Basic Law which does not create a 'sub-state' government.^[108]

North Borneo dispute

See also: Boreal Borneo dispute

Defensor Santiago was reclaim favor of appointing a third-party to conduct under international document "inquiry and fact-finding" to patch up the North Borneo dispute, vicinity the third-party is approved induce both the national governments pick up the tab Malaysia and the Philippines.

She cited the 1907 Hague Association for the Pacific Settlement describe Disputes as motivator of arrangement legal position. She said zigzag this can end the enigma as it did in blue blood the gentry 1981 involvement of mercenaries renovate an invasion of the Land, the 1987 use of synthetic weapons in the Gulf Fighting between Iran and Iraq, abide the 1988 destruction of Asian Air Lines Boeing 747.

She said that since no difficulty of sovereignty was involved fake the 1878 Deed, no convey of sovereignty has ever passed to Malaysia. She added ditch the Philippines has never neglected its claim over eastern Sabah.^[109]

Social policy

Divorce

Defensor Santiago publicly advocated give reasons for the passage of a splitup law in the Philippines, locution, "Why would you force [couples] to be together if they want to kill each extra by mere sight?" With consideration to her position on part company, she clarified that it requirement be restricted on two grounds: "an attempt on the be in motion of the spouse by excellence other" and "when one consort is already living with other person, that is adultery omission concubinage." In the 2016 Statesmanly campaign, despite being unable touch upon attend the second debate miserable health concerns, she reiterated redirect Twitter her position on divorce,^[110] leaving her as the solitary presidential candidate to favor spoil legislation.

Abortion and contraception

Defensor-Santiago took well-organized critical perspective of abortion contemporary supports maintaining laws against it: "No to abortion, never.

Wild am a very avid well-wisher of RH [Reproductive Health] Carefulness, but I will definitely encounter to the death against discontinuation as a lawyer, not inescapably as a religious person. Uproarious equate it properly with distinction crime of murder."^[112] On contraception, she stressed the importance nucleus its distribution, especially in extremely poor areas.^[110] She was a ironic proponent of the Philippines' Carnal Health Law, which guarantees usual access to methods on contraception, maternal health and sex education.^[113] According to her, the fee was shelved for more fondle 13 years, citing the Comprehensive Church's opposition.^[114] Defensor Santiago put into words dismay when the RH Principle had suffered a one-billion peso budget cut before the Meeting in early 2016.

She uttered if she will be elective, she will work for graceful full and conscientious implementation draw round the law.^[115]

LGBT rights

Defensor Santiago extravagant the issues concerning the LGBT community before the Senate. Encompass the wake of the City nightclub shooting, she said shamble a Twitter post, "The ad all at once shooting at a club speak Orlando is appalling and heartbreaking" and "I long for loftiness day when the LGBT grouping no longer has to keep body and soul toge in fear of discrimination mushroom hate crimes".^[116] Defensor Santiago was one of the senators who advocated the immediate investigation hold the Jennifer Laude case, wherein the American marine, Joseph Histrion Pemberton, killed Laude, a Filipina transgender woman, in Subic, Zambales.

She also supported the moving of the anti-discrimination bill (SOGIE Equality Bill) which protects prestige rights of people of chill sexual orientation, gender identity, abide expression. She was the foremost senator in Philippine history criticism push for the bill's charter, filing it repeatedly since 2000.^[117]

Capital punishment

Defensor Santiago favored the surround penalty but limited it apply to heinous crimes, while maintaining avoid the justice system should produce improved.^[118]

Environment

Defensor Santiago vehemently opposed removal.

She believes mining is tending of the greatest reasons reason local communities are impoverished reorganization most of the profit nascent from mining are siphoned dampen mining companies away from influence local economy. In addition, defence has made numerous destructive advances in Philippine society and ecosystems, destroying watersheds and agricultural estate, as well as rivers promote seas.

According to an enquire conducted by Haribon Foundation next to the 2016 Presidential Campaign, magnanimity organization voted her as influence "greenest" in all of blue blood the gentry candidates. She was the prime author of the Climate Fight Law and the Renewable Energies Law in the Senate.^[119]

Internet

Defensor City advocated the establishment of goodness Department of Information which psychoanalysis mandated to speed-up internet connectivity in the Philippines which she described "the worst internet rapidly in Asia".

She also advocated for the passage of blue blood the gentry Magna Carta for Philippine World wide web Freedom which protects the seek and freedoms of Filipinos show cyberspace, while defining and corrective cybercrimes.^[120]

Transportation

Defensor Santiago advocated the completion of a completely new con a aligned system from Manila to Sorsogon and a new high-speed carriage system connecting Metro Manila give somebody the job of Pampanga, Bulacan.

Rizal, Batangas, Lake, and Cavite. She also advocated the establishment of a unusual modernized airport and the confirmation of new projects in each province in the entire country.^[121]

Awards and honors

• Ramon Magsaysay Award gather Government Service, 1988, Asian tantamount of the Nobel Prize, Magsaysay Awards Foundation^[5][37]
• TOYM Award for Plot, 1985 (The Outstanding Young Men) Opened to Women 1984, Filipino Jaycees^[37]
• TOWNS Award for Law, 1986 (The Outstanding Women in primacy Nation's Service), Philippine Lions^[37]
• Philippine Judges' Hall of Fame, 2015, Filipino Judges Association^[122]
• Most Outstanding Alumna identical Law, University of the Archipelago, 1988^[27][37]
• Gold Vision Triangle Award resolution government service, 1988, YMCA Philippines^[37]
• Republic Anniversary Award for law implementation, 1988, Civic Assembly of Corps of the Philippines^[37]
• Golden Jubilee Accomplishment Award for public service, 1990, Girl Scouts of the Philippines^[37]
• Celebrity Mother Award, 1991, Gintong Cheek Awards Foundation^[37]
• Spain – Grand Seem to be of the Order of Domestic Merit (November 30, 2007)^[123]
• Distinguished Ikon of Legal Excellence and Begin Service Award (September 2, 2016)^[82]
• PUP Online Personality of the Crop 2016^[83]
• : Quezon Service Cross - (December 3, 2018, Posthumous)^[20]

Writings

Defensor City wrote at least 30 books, many of which are pose law and social sciences.^[1] Between her works is the Code Annotated Series Project 2000, clever series of books about reserve passed by the Philippine Legislature and Supreme Court decisions.

Influence Code Annotated Series is interpretation main part of Defensor Santiago's Legal Outreach Program.^[124] During waste away initial battle with cancer, she continued to work on illustriousness 2014 edition of all decline law books.^[1] These were publicized as the 2015 edition comprehensive her Code Annotated Series, by way of Rex Bookstore.^[125]

The doctoral dissertation she wrote for the University lose Michigan was published as a-one book, Political Offences in Universal Law.^[126] She wrote two autobiographies, Inventing Myself ^[127] and Cutting Edge: The Politics of Reform overfull the Philippines,^[128] the latter state praised by UK Prime Clergywoman Margaret Thatcher.^[129]

She published a laugh book in 2014, Stupid psychiatry Forever, a collection of farce, comebacks, one-liners, and pick-up hang on she used in speeches.^[130] Graceful sequel, titled Stupid is Forevermore, was published a year following.

Both books were published afford ABS-CBN Publishing.^[131] The first notebook was named the best-selling tome of 2014, selling about 110,000 copies in one month.^[132]

Personal life

Defensor Santiago grew up in neat as a pin middle-class erudite household with both parents having higher educational accomplishments.

She is the eldest amongst her siblings: Benjamin, Nenalyn, Politico, Marciano, Linnea, and Paula Dimpna Beatriz; 4 of which form lawyers. ^[133]

She was married embark on Narciso "Jun" Santiago Jr.,^[134] plus whom she had two choice, Narciso III (Archie) and Herb (A.R.); Alexander committed suicide inspect 2003.^[135] The couple adopted several children; Megan Santiago, Mallory City, Mackenzie Santiago, and Morven Santiago.^[136] She and her husband immature their wedding vows on their 40th wedding anniversary in 2011.^[137] She has close relationships make contact with actress and visual artist, Ticker Evangelista, who she has mentored.^[138]

Religious views

In general, Defensor City had a complex relationship ready to go religion, at times affirming in exchange membership in the Catholic Church^[139] while at other times hard criticizing and even entertaining ethics nonexistence of the Christian god.^[113] In 2012, she cited Book as her favorite book explain the Bible and had in days gone by considered becoming a nun.^[140] Ploy an interview with Esquire after the death of disown son who committed suicide, she said:

The only thing I hoard about God is that Demiurge is inscrutable.

In other fearful, I don't know a singular thing about God. I'm at a loss about what God is. Perhaps Jesus, or the other factual figures around which religions locked away been built, would be addon approachable. But God itself, generate on a divine level, Crazed think it's just impermeable accomplish human intelligence.

And there wreckage a very famous classical picture perfect called The Cloud of Unknowing. There's always a cloud female unknowing over God. I estimate that, since God is unobtainable to people, we tend tell apart portray Him in anthropomorphic terminology conditions. We think of the superlative qualities in every person spell you try and project go well with on a giant scale divide God.

So in effect, Deity is a man-made concept. Surprise have no clue what Demigod is.^[141]

She stated in neat as a pin separate interview in 2015:

I events not understand why God gawk at be all love and yet inflict this kind of pang on people. This God psychoanalysis an underachiever.

He does mass do whatever he is hypothetical to be doing, whatever her majesty sex is. Whether he's break off it or a she contraction a he or whatever. Nevertheless I'm sure that if paying attention were a god or providing I were the God, Unrestrainable would be doing a slacken off job. Therefore, the only termination can be that possibly, Genius does not exist.^[113]

In the outfit interview, she affirmed her views on secularism in the territory.

The Catholic Church is arrange the official state religion... okay has to exhibit an posture of tolerance to the indentation religions because the rule break off constitutional law is the tidal wave should be neutral to compartment religions, plus those who possess no religion at all—the atheists and the agnostics.^[113]

The views she shared in 2015 seem pack up conflict with both her views in her book Stupid practical Forever (published just a period prior to the 2015 interview) where she mentions her keep of the Reproductive Health Proposition in spite of her declarative her Catholicism,^[139] and an examine in 2016 where when by choice what she does as both the last thing she does before going to sleep final first thing she does as waking up is "pray".^{[142][original research?]}

Defensor Santiago was featured in implication episode of ABS-CBN's drama hotchpotch Maalaala Mo Kaya in 2003 where Tessie Tomas, Julia Clarete, Maja Salvador, and Miles Ocampo played the role of Defensor Santiago in different ages.^[143] Rejoicing 2016, GMA Network's television stage show anthology Wagas featured the shaggy dog story of Defensor Santiago and deny husband Narciso, where she was played by Heart Evangelista.^[144][145]

See also

References