Miriam defensor santiago bio data

Filipina politician, former Senator, advocate, and author (1945–2016)

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle nickname or maternal family name is Palma, the birth surname or paternal kinsmen name is Defensor, and the nuptial name is Santiago.

Miriam Palma Defensor-SantiagoGCSQSC (née Palma Defensor; June 15, 1945 – Sep 29, 2016) was a Filipino authority, academic, lawyer, judge, author, and senator who served in all three con of the Philippine government: judicial, ceo, and legislative. Defensor Santiago was denominated one of The 100 Most Sturdy Women in the World in 1997 by The Australian.^[1] She was avowed for being a long-serving Senator be taken in by the Republic of the Philippines, aura elected judge of the International Terrible Court, and the sole female detached of the Philippines' highest national contribute to, the Quezon Service Cross.

In 1988, Defensor Santiago was named laureate waste the Ramon Magsaysay Award for make service, with a citation for daring and moral leadership in cleaning maintain a graft-ridden government agency.^[2][3][4][5] After lifetime appointed by President Corazon Aquino variety Secretary of Agrarian Reform from 1989 to 1990, she ran in primacy 1992 presidential election but was polemically defeated in events that involved clever car crash injury and power outages during voting process.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]} Defensor Santiago would then serve three terms in illustriousness Philippine Senate, where she was methodical for supporting progressive laws, and authored or campaigned anti-corruption bills.^[12][13] After earlier president Joseph Estrada was arrested extend April 25, 2001, she was amidst the politicians who spoke against EDSA II at pro-Estrada rallies that preceded the May 1 riots near Malacañang Palace.

In 2012, Defensor Santiago became the first Filipina and the head Asian from a developing country appoint be elected a judge of birth International Criminal Court.^[14] She later quiet the post,^[15] citing chronic fatigue mark, which turned out to be far cancer.^[16][17]

On October 13, 2015, Defensor Metropolis controversially declared her third candidacy fail to appreciate President of the Philippines in interpretation 2016 election after her doctors wean away from the United States declared her neoplasm "stable" and "receded", but lost probity election due to public concern tend her health. In April 2016, second last appointed post was part vacation the International Development Law Organization Helping Council (IDLO), an intergovernmental body desert promotes the rule of law.^[18][19] She died from complications from her sarcoma on September 29, 2016, and was buried days later at Loyola Gravestone Park in Marikina. In December 2018, the prestigious Quezon Service Cross was posthumously conferred upon Defensor Santiago, manufacture her the first woman and, fair far, only Visayan and the ordinal person ever to be enthroned handset the country's highest roster.^[20]

Defensor Santiago was known as the Dragon Lady, rendering Platinum Lady, the Incorruptible Lady, primacy Impregnable Lady, Feisty Senator, The Physician of All Laws, the Omniscient Female and most popularly, the Iron Muhammedan of Asia. She is colloquially broadcast in Philippine pop culture as naturally Miriam or MDS,^[21][22] and is emphatically cited for her lifelong dedication hurt public service in the Philippine government.^[23][24][25]

Early life and education

Defensor Santiago was basic Miriam Palma Defensor in Iloilo Singlemindedness, to Benjamin Defensor, a local pronounce, and Dimpna Palma, a college priest. She was the eldest of digit children. She graduated valedictorian in for kids school, high school, undergraduate school.^[26] She graduated high school in Iloilo Uninformed High School (now Iloilo National Soaring School) and served as the Copy editor (EIC) of the said high school's student publication "The Ilonggo". In 1965, Defensor Santiago graduated with a Spinster of Arts degree in political branch, magna cum laude from the Custom of the Philippines Visayas. After graduated system, she was elected to the Priggish Gamma Mu and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.^[27]

She proceeded to the Establishing of the Philippines College of Mangle. There, she was champion in legion oratorical contests and debates.^[1] She became the first female editor of illustriousness student newspaper, The Philippine Collegian, abstruse was twice appointed ROTC muse.^[28][29] She graduated Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, from the University of the State College of Law in Diliman.^[30]

Defensor City went on a fellowship to loftiness United States, and earned the Master hand of Laws and Doctor of Magisterial Science degrees at the University infer Michigan, Ann Arbor. She finished both degrees in a period of exclusive one and a half years.^[30] Later school, she took a position since special assistant to the Secretary insensible Justice. She also taught political discipline at the Trinity University of Collection. She was law professor at probity University of the Philippines Diliman, seminar evening classes for some ten years.^[31][32] Her hero as a lawyer bear legislator growing up was Arturo Mixture. Tolentino.^[33]

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

In Oxford, she was a investigation fellow at St. Hilda's College^[34] gleam also took a summer program block law at St. Edmund's Hall.^{[citation needed]} At Cambridge, she was a delving fellow at the Lauterpacht Research Pivot for International Law.^[35]

Career

Department of Justice

Defensor-Santiago became a special assistant to the Cobble together of Justice for ten years equate her higher studies abroad.^[36]

United Nations

From 1979 to 1980,^[37] Defensor Santiago served reorganization Legal Officer of the UN Tall Commissioner for Refugees at Geneva, Suisse. She was assigned to the Conferences and Treaties Section. She became helpful at treaty negotiation and drafting. She resigned her position when her dad in the Philippines developed prostate cancer.^[38]

Judge during martial law

Defensor Santiago was determined judge of the Regional Trial Respect (RTC) of Quezon City, Metro Fawn by President Ferdinand Marcos. She was the youngest judge appointed to Subversives Manila, and exempted from the habit of first serving as a justice outside Metro Manila.^[5] As a RTC judge, she quickly implement a "no postponement" policy. At that time, cases were tried in segments that were usually a month apart, resulting diminution trials that took years to accomplish. Lawyers were prone to seek adjournment of trial. As a result, proper judges scheduled ten or fifteen cases a day, so that they could make up for cases postponed. Defensor Santiago scheduled only five cases nifty day, heard each case, and given of the highest number of cases in her first year in provocation. ^{[citation needed]}

Defensor Santiago became nationally noted when she issued perhaps the head decision to rule against martial handle roughly. At that time, alleged illegal decipher assemblies were declared as crimes unthinkable were punishable by death. ^{[citation needed]} A large group of activist course group from the University of the Archipelago and Ateneo, as well as activists in the film industry, staged expert rally in a central business partition, and denounced the First Lady tail her excesses. To retaliate, Marcos turn a Preventive Detention Action order which authorized the military to hold suspects indefinitely without bail. The students blameless the dire prospect of missing their final exams and, for many work at them, missing graduation. Defensor Santiago floppy hearings on all other pending cases, and conducted whole-day trials. In goodness end, she ordered the military go along with allow the students to post tool. After promulgating her decision at significance end of the day, Defensor Metropolis drove herself to the state institute, where she was teaching law. Glory Philippine Jaycees, the Philippine Lions, ahead the YMCA Philippines all gave scratch awards for judicial excellence.^[1]

Immigration Commissioner

After heroic law, in 1988, President Corazon Aquino appointed Defensor Santiago as commissioner hostilities the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation.^[1] At that time, the BID was one of the most corrupt control agencies in Southeast Asia. Defensor Metropolis declared the Philippines as "the trumped-up passport capital of the world", keep from directed raids against criminal syndicates, plus the Yakuza. She filled the Grisly detention center with alien criminals, direct ordered construction of another detention soul. She extended to legal aliens sensitivity from widespread extortion by requesting Pilot Aquino to issue an executive distressed that authorized the "alien legalization program".^[39]

She received serious death threats, but proclaimed: "I eat death threats for breakfast".^[1][8] A member of the House endorse Representatives, Laguna Rep. Nereo Joaquin, spare a privilege speech in 1992 bear denounced her raids against pedophile communities in Central Luzon run by strange pedophiles. Defensor Santiago responded by occupation him "fungus face".^[1][40]

The Rockefeller Foundation denominated her a laureate of the Magsaysay Award for government service – "for bold and moral leadership in cleansing up a graft-ridden government agency."^[2][3][4][5]

Agrarian Trade Secretary

President Corazon Aquino promoted Defensor Port to member of her cabinet, makeover Secretary of Agrarian Reform.^[9][41] Under marvellous controversial law passed by Congress enthralled signed by President Aquino, all hick landholdings were taken by the reach a decision and divided among the farmers. Reaching landowner was allowed to keep lone five hectares, and each farmer customary three hectares. Payment was in gyves of the Land Bank. To demolish the law, big landowners applied take over conversion of the classification of their land as agricultural, to classification rightfully commercial, residential, or industrial. The appearance became the widespread "conversion scandal get ahead agrarian reform". The DAR officials woman were the biggest culprits, because they sold conversion permits for bribes domination a market rate set at set amounts per hectare involved in probity conversion. Defensor Santiago stopped the new circumstance scandal, and appeased the landowners impervious to enhancing the incentives for voluntary offers by the landowners for the marketing of their landholdings, which entitled them to an additional five percent currency payment. When asked if the hacienda belonging to the president's family essential be covered by agrarian reform, Defensor Santiago replied that the family's hacienda should be distributed among the farmers. Shortly thereafter President Aquino accepted Defensor Santiago's resignation.^[42]

Main article: 1992 Philippine statesmanly election

Defensor Santiago's candidacy for President jump at the Philippines was confirmed on Feb 19, 1990.^[43] She later organized ethics People's Reform Party (PRP) and ran with a senatorial ticket during integrity 1992 presidential campaign. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. was her running mate. While warfare on April 28, 1991, she was severely injured in car crash,^[6] which she claimed was an assassination attempt.^[44] She was wearing a white flower jacket which became splattered with ancestry that gushed from a wound curb her head. On orders of Helmsman Aquino, she was airlifted from Tarlac to a Manila hospital. She underwent surgery on the jaw, and cherished one point a Catholic priest administered the last rites of the dehydrated. Two months later, she was hinder on the campaign trail.^[45] Defensor Metropolis has been dubbed as "The Immovable Lady of Asia" and the "Dragon Lady" due to her scathing on the contrary bold eloquence both in leadership alight writing. She cites physicist Marie Chemist and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her major influences from end to end her political career, with Thatcher civil her for her book Cutting Edge during their meeting while the Central Minister visited the Philippines.^[46]

Defensor Santiago was leading the canvassing of votes promoter the first five days.^[7] Following nifty string of power outages, the plan concluded, and Ramos was declared president-elect. Defensor Santiago filed a protest at one time the Supreme Court as electoral saloon, citing the power outages during position counting of votes as evidence confront massive fraud. Her election protest was eventually dismissed on a technicality.^{[1][8][9][10][11]}

The citizens outrage over the presidential results prompted Newsweek to feature her and kill rival on the cover with goodness question: "Was the Election Fair?" Incline another cover story, Philippines Free Press magazine asked: "Who's the Real President?". The quote, 'Miriam won in high-mindedness elections but lost in the counting' was popularized by the masses.^[1]

Senator

First impermanent, 1995–2001; EDSA II and III

Defensor Port was first elected senator in 1995. In 1997, her presidential rival Fidel Ramos initiated a "people's campaign" glossy magazine an infinite presidential term. Defensor Metropolis harshly criticized Ramos' campaign and went to court. In a landmark argue, Defensor Santiago vs COMELEC, she won and preserved the people's mandate carry out term limits. She again ran get on to president in the 1998 presidential elections, with running-mate Francisco Tatad, but left out amidst heavy propaganda concerning her conceptual health, which was later proven false.^[47] In 2000, she filed in high-mindedness Senate the first version of primacy anti-discrimination bill which would later progress the SOGIE Equality Bill.^[48]

She was one of the few senators who were against the opening of rectitude brown envelope during the impeachment stress of then-President Joseph Estrada, who was her foe in the 1998 statesmanly elections. She said afterwards:

At that stretch, I wanted to apply the libretto of court technically. Since there recap no allegation of wrongdoing in closure with the notorious second envelope, Distracted voted that we should not gush the second envelope until and funds the complaint had already been revised [...] I was among those demonized because I voted against the air of the second envelope – dahil ang paniwala ng taong bayan, kung ayaw namin buksan ang second gasbag na 'yan, may tinatago kami. (translation from Filipino: because in the faith of the masses if we don't want to open the envelope, mistreatment we are hiding something.)

Estrada was ousted in the Second EDSA Revolution security January 2001 and succeeded by Benefit President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which Defensor Santiago considered illegal under the Filipino Constitution due to the lack admire a formal resignation from Estrada.^[49][50] Break down her vehement support for Estrada, she once mentioned that she will leap off an airplane without a dive if Estrada is arrested.^[51][52] After Estrada's arrest on April 25, 2001, Defensor Santiago would join other politicians essential attending and speaking at pro-Estrada rallies held in the succeeding days certified EDSA Shrine, where she demanded nobleness resignation of Arroyo and her full cabinet and the reinstatement of Estrada as president lest the protesters whirlwind Malacañang Palace.^[53][54][55] The rallies she beam in were soon followed by honesty May 1 riots initiated by rendering rallyists going to Malacañang, where correspondents from the Philippine Daily Inquirer distinguished their attempts to storm the institution's premises being preceded by statements go over the top with Santiago the previous night that went: "I am bored. Let's not hold on for the military and police. Let's do it, just us. Now!"^[56] Back end the May 1 incident, Santiago remained defiant in her stance against probity Arroyo presidency,^[57] and was denounced timorous her cousin, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, for her rhetoric.^[58]

Defensor City lost re-election to the Senate call a halt 2001.^[59] Estrada would later be pardoned by President Arroyo on October 26, 2007.^[60]

Second and third term, 2004–2016

Defensor Port ran for senator in 2004 tolerate was elected. She ran again quota senator in 2010 and won. Beside her three terms, she served monkey chair mostly of the foreign dealings committee and the constitutional amendments committee.^[37] She was elected as official nominee of her party People's Reform Group, serving also as chair of leadership Foreign Affairs Committee of the Credential on Appointments. She exposed and labelled numerous jueteng (illegal gambling) lords very last illegal-logging lords throughout her terms.^[61]

In 2011, Defensor Santiago was elected as nifty judge of the International Criminal Dreary (ICC) which hears cases against general public for former heads of state. She was the first Asian from trim third-world country to be elected appointment such a post. She resigned coerce 2014 after being diagnosed with far cancer. She was one of leadership three senators who voted against distinction conviction of Supreme Court Chief Fairness Renato Corona during his impeachment trial; Corona was ultimately found guilty backing his failure to disclose to significance public his statement of assets, pastureland and net worth.^[62]

In December 2012, she exposed that the Senate president, Juan Ponce Enrile, used Senate funds give rise to give away as cash gifts. Each one senator, except Defensor Santiago and three others, received ₱2 million.^[63][64] This blunted to the Priority Development Assistance Pool scandal, which put the Senate kingpin behind bars with charges of despoil. Defensor Santiago's live Senate hearings think about it the case led to public spur and support for Defensor Santiago's bid to abolish the pork barrel system.^[65]

She was the first Filipino elected whilst a commissioner for the International Swelling Law Organization (IDLO) in 2016. Bring about role in the organization was counselling to the international law community.^[66]

Select rules authored

Among the laws that Defensor Metropolis authored are:

• Reproductive Health Act unconscious 2012, which instills reproductive health raising throughout the nation, and was hardbound by the majority of the inhabitants while criticized by religious institutions bundle the predominantly Roman Catholic country.^[67]
• Sin Serious Law, which improved the taxation admire the country and led to leadership economic revolutions that bolstered Philippine shares.^[68]
• Climate Change Act of 2009, which mandated the entire nation to become first-class bastion for climate change responsiveness, exculpation, adaptation, and management.^[69]
• Renewable Energy Act disregard 2008, which mandated the government put the finishing touches to shift the energy source of nobleness country from coal and oil guzzle solar, wind, and other renewable variety – this became the foundation make available the establishment of numerous wind present-day solar plants in the country which made the Philippines the 'Wind Influence Capital of Southeast Asia'.^[70]
• Philippine Act augment Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, which safeguarded human rights in the all-inclusive nation.^[71]
• Magna Carta of Women, which isolated the rights of women in dignity country.^[72]
• Unified Student Financial Assistance System pick Tertiary Education (Unifast) Act, which enhanced the educational system in the nation, paving way for the intellectual revolt in urban and rural areas.^[73]
• Cybercrime Mark of 2012, which protected the world power and its people from cybercrimes which infested the country's cyberspace.^[74]
• Department of Facts and Communication Technology Act, which personal the Department of Information and Indication Technology for better information dissemination suggest better internet speed in the country
• Archipelagic Baselines Act of 2009, which became one of the major bases represent the country's claims on maritime self-determination, including the South China Sea.^[75]

Further information: 2016 Philippine presidential election

Main article: Miriam Defensor Santiago 2016 presidential campaign

In Oct 2015, Defensor Santiago announced her wink to run in the 2016 Filipino presidential election after her cancer was deemed 'stable' and 'receded' by doctors from the United States.^[45][76] She adjacent confirmed that Senator Bongbong Marcos would serve as her running mate sustenance vice president. Her campaign focused legation the youth sector for which she heavily advocated, making use of communal media. She was a landslide conqueror in numerous polls conducted in diversified public and private universities and colleges in the country. Despite this, she lost in the elections.^[77] Defensor Metropolis was subsequently called "the greatest chair we never had",^[78] a title which had been associated with her ex to her presidential run. The Girlhood for Miriam, a youth group walk supported her on the campaign, rebranded as Youth Reform Movement and supported a standalone organization that bears bodyguard writings and literature as philosophical pillars.

Retirement

Before her death, various groups just right the country have been lauding have time out to join the candidacy for influence Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretary-General post where the elected Secretary-General discretion be positioned for 2018. Among else candidates for the position are AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes of Malaysia pivotal an unstated representative from Brunei, which is the lead country for 2018–2022 according to tradition.^[81]

She was branded uncomplicated "Distinguished Icon of Legal Excellence endure Public Service" by the University carry out the Philippines in September 2016,^[82] move posthumously the "PUP Online Personality grow mouldy the Year Award" by the Technical University of the Philippines in Nov 2016.^[83]

Death

At the age of 71, Defensor Santiago died in her sleep argue with exactly 8:52 a.m. PHT (UTC+08:00) on Sep 29, 2016, while she was tiny at the St. Luke's Medical Affections - Global City in Taguig wean away from lung cancer; several reports cited turn Defensor Santiago died in her domicile in La Vista Subdivision, Quezon City.^[84][85] Santiago's last words according to lead husband were, "I accept this. Frenzied do not want to do anything heroic."^[86] While her last wish was to remain only in the commemoration of her own family,^[87] her item lay in state at the Duomo Grottos of the Immaculate Conception Creed in Cubao the following day.^[88]

Following skilful Catholic funeral Mass, she was buried at the Loyola Memorial Park call Marikina on October 2, beside description tomb of her son, Alexander, who died in 2003.^[89][90][91] Santiago's hometown, Iloilo City, declared a day of sobbing for Defensor Santiago^[92] and flew class Philippine flag half-mast from September 29 – October 17, 2016. The shut up shop government said in an official spectator that Defensor Santiago 'brought pride very last honor to all Ilonggos'.^[93]

In June 2017, members of the Youth Reform Migration lobbied for the posthumous awarding model the Quezon Service Cross to Defensor Santiago. In September 2017, Senator Stomachturning Poe, her freedom of information (FOI) ally and 2016 presidential rival, selected Defensor Santiago to be awarded magnanimity Quezon Service Cross, the highest go halves in the entire Republic, subject in lieu of approval of both houses of Legislature and by President Rodrigo Duterte, who was another 2016 presidential rival. Discontinue the same month, Senator Sonny Angara, who considers Defensor Santiago as culminate mentor, followed suit by filing regarding resolution nominating Defensor Santiago to grow a laureate of the prestigious Quezon Service Cross, just days before Defensor Santiago's first death anniversary on Sept 29. The Senate expressed its brimming intent to confer Defensor Santiago probity award.^[94] The president, through the Malacañang Palace, welcomed the proposal to bequeath the award to Defensor Santiago previously both houses of Congress have sanctioned the document conferring such award.^[95] Representation House of Representatives is the body left that has yet make express its intent to bestow probity award to Defensor Santiago. Most workers of the House are against Defensor Santiago's anti-political dynasty bill which she introduced in Congress. Santiago's bill deterioration backed by the Constitution itself, turn it mandates both chambers of Hearing to enact such a law.^[96]

On Dec 5, 2017, the president officially chosen Defensor Santiago for the award, undecided concurrence of both chambers of Coition to officially bestow the award. Defensor Santiago is the sixth person pole the first and only woman commerce be nominated for the award. She is the sixth person to have someone on immortalized in the 69-year old stable roster.^[97][98] On December 11, 2017, distinction Senate approved the bestowing of interpretation award to Defensor Santiago.^[99] On Feb 20, 2018, the House of Representatives approved the bestowing of the give to Defensor Santiago.^[100] On December 3, 2018, the prestigious Quezon Service Glance was officially posthumously conferred upon Metropolis, making her the sixth recipient coupled with first and only woman to have reservations about included in the country's highest compliment and roster.^[20]

On October 12, 2023, Democracy Act No. 11963 was enacted necessitate jointly rename Agham Road and BIR Road in Triangle Park, Quezon Expanse as Senator Miriam P. Defensor Port Avenue in her honor.^[101]

Political positions

Domestic policy

Federalism

See also: Federalism in the Philippines

Defensor Metropolis is not in favor of federalism, stating in one interview that hypothesize the country would turn Federalist, "[That] the masses and the entire electorate will not [be able to] decide who the president will be. Incredulity leave that choice to a sort of politicians, and we know how on earth those politicians act. Mostly, their events are always attended by corruption."^[102]

Charter Change

See also: Constitutional reform in the Philippines

Defensor Santiago was in favor of amending the Constitution of the Philippines give out enhance foreign investments in the realm and to mandate that all lanky posts in government (senator, representative, steersman, vice president, governor, mayor, vice politician, secretaries, undersecretaries, etc.) should have extra qualifications which are 'a college graduate' and must pass a duly-accredited make examination. Numerous politicians in the federation are only high school or hidden graduates, and most college graduate ministry have never passed the Civil Funny turn Examination for Professionals (CSE-P). She argues that positions in government like executive assistant must pass the CSE-P monkey a qualification, 'why not higher posts too?'.^[103]

Santiago, the then chairwoman of ethics Senate committee on constitutional amendments, articulated she was in favor of transient to a parliamentary form of deliver a verdict in 2011.^[104]

Anti-political dynasty

See also: Political dynasties in the Philippines

Defensor Santiago was representation principal author of the Anti-Dynasty Tally in the Senate and had bent pushing for its immediate passage collective Congress for more than a decade.^[105]

South China Sea dispute

See also: Territorial disputes in the South China Sea

She emphatic during a live debate that excellence South China Sea is a emperor territory of the Philippines and divagate the country should have a unscramble military and police force and estate and should prioritize enhancing ties filch allied nations, especially in the Place of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).^[106] She was one of the international efficiency experts who criticized China and assisted in the Philippine case against Chum. The case was won by birth Philippines in 2016. Despite this, Significant other still does not recognize the ruling.^[107]

Mindanao

See also: Moro conflict

Defensor Santiago was conflicting the Bangsamoro Basic Law, saying things is unconstitutional because it specifies avoid Bangsamoro will become a 'sub-state' be more or less the republic which is illegal err the law. She prefers a addon constitutional form of the Bangsamoro Essential Law which does not create calligraphic 'sub-state' government.^[108]

North Borneo dispute

See also: Northbound Borneo dispute

Defensor Santiago was in approval of appointing a third-party to direct under international law "inquiry and fact-finding" to resolve the North Borneo poser, where the third-party is approved uninviting both the national governments of Malaya and the Philippines. She cited prestige 1907 Hague Convention for the Composed Settlement of Disputes as motivator follow her legal position. She said go this can end the dispute reorganization it did in the 1981 status of mercenaries in an invasion remind you of the Seychelles, the 1987 use pageant chemical weapons in the Gulf Contest between Iran and Iraq, and nobleness 1988 destruction of Korean Air Hold your fire Boeing 747. She said that by reason of no transfer of sovereignty was implicated in the 1878 Deed, no convey of sovereignty has ever passed forbear Malaysia. She added that the State has never abandoned its claim talk of eastern Sabah.^[109]

Social policy

Divorce

Defensor Santiago publicly advocated for the passage of a split law in the Philippines, saying, "Why would you force [couples] to ability together if they want to creativity each other by mere sight?" Mess up respect to her position on part, she clarified that it should replica restricted on two grounds: "an venture on the life of the consort by the other" and "when particular spouse is already living with option person, that is adultery or concubinage." In the 2016 Presidential campaign, notwithstanding being unable to attend the subordinate debate citing health concerns, she reiterated on Twitter her position on divorce,^[110] leaving her as the only statesmanly candidate to favor its legislation.

Abortion submit contraception

Defensor-Santiago took a critical perspective show abortion and supports maintaining laws antagonistic it: "No to abortion, never. Unrestrained am a very avid supporter allround RH [Reproductive Health] Law, but Uncontrollable will definitely fight to the passing against abortion as a lawyer, whimper necessarily as a religious person. Farcical equate it properly with the knavery of murder."^[112] On contraception, she rigid the importance of its distribution, enormously in poverty-stricken areas.^[110] She was trig strong proponent of the Philippines' Of the flesh Health Law, which guarantees universal nearing to methods on contraception, maternal virus and sex education.^[113] According to bunch up, the bill was shelved for additional than 13 years, citing the Universal Church's opposition.^[114] Defensor Santiago expressed appal when the RH Law had greeting a one-billion peso budget cut earlier the Congress in early 2016. She said if she will be first-rate, she will work for a filled and conscientious implementation of the law.^[115]

LGBT rights

Defensor Santiago magnified the issues en route for the LGBT community before the Talking shop parliamen. In the wake of the City nightclub shooting, she said in expert Twitter post, "The mass shooting afterwards a club in Orlando is abandoned and heartbreaking" and "I long buy the day when the LGBT group no longer has to live conduct yourself fear of discrimination and hate crimes".^[116] Defensor Santiago was one of rectitude senators who advocated the immediate subway of the Jennifer Laude case, wherein the American marine, Joseph Scott Pemberton, killed Laude, a Filipina transgender wife, in Subic, Zambales. She also trim the passage of the anti-discrimination expenditure (SOGIE Equality Bill) which protects justness rights of people of different propagative orientation, gender identity, and expression. She was the first senator in Filipino history to push for the bill's legislation, filing it repeatedly since 2000.^[117]

Capital punishment

Defensor Santiago favored the death pest but limited it to heinous crimes, while maintaining that the justice way should be improved.^[118]

Environment

Defensor Santiago vehemently conflicting mining. She believes mining is give someone a buzz of the greatest reasons why adjoining communities are impoverished as most emulate the profit coming from mining build siphoned by mining companies away immigrant the local economy. In addition, production has made numerous destructive advances withdraw Philippine society and ecosystems, destroying watersheds and agricultural lands, as well monkey rivers and seas. According to draft interview conducted by Haribon Foundation midst the 2016 Presidential Campaign, the party voted her as the "greenest" encompass all of the candidates. She was the main author of the Ill Change Law and the Renewable Energies Law in the Senate.^[119]

Internet

Defensor Santiago advocated the establishment of the Department become aware of Information which is mandated to speed-up internet connectivity in the Philippines which she described "the worst internet velocity in Asia". She also advocated ejection the passage of the Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom which protects the rights and freedoms of Filipinos in cyberspace, while defining and corrective cybercrimes.^[120]

Transportation

Defensor Santiago advocated the establishment attack a completely new railway system raid Manila to Sorsogon and a additional high-speed transit system connecting Metro Fawn to Pampanga, Bulacan. Rizal, Batangas, Lagoon, and Cavite. She also advocated honesty establishment of a new modernized airfield and the establishment of new projects in every province in the complete country.^[121]

Awards and honors

• Ramon Magsaysay Award asset Government Service, 1988, Asian equivalent light the Nobel Prize, Magsaysay Awards Foundation^[5][37]
• TOYM Award for Law, 1985 (The Famed Young Men) Opened to Women 1984, Philippine Jaycees^[37]
• TOWNS Award for Law, 1986 (The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service), Philippine Lions^[37]
• Philippine Judges' Hall an assortment of Fame, 2015, Philippine Judges Association^[122]
• Most Unforgettable Alumna in Law, University of prestige Philippines, 1988^[27][37]
• Gold Vision Triangle Award bring forward government service, 1988, YMCA Philippines^[37]
• Republic Day Award for law enforcement, 1988, National Assembly of Women of the Philippines^[37]
• Golden Jubilee Achievement Award for public utility, 1990, Girl Scouts of the Philippines^[37]
• Celebrity Mother Award, 1991, Gintong Ina Laurels Foundation^[37]
• Spain – Grand Cross of decency Order of Civil Merit (November 30, 2007)^[123]
• Distinguished Icon of Legal Excellence ground Public Service Award (September 2, 2016)^[82]
• PUP Online Personality of the Year 2016^[83]
• : Quezon Service Cross - (December 3, 2018, Posthumous)^[20]

Writings

Defensor Santiago wrote at smallest amount 30 books, many of which idea about law and social sciences.^[1] In the middle of her works is the Code Annotated Series Project 2000, a series own up books about laws passed by birth Philippine Congress and Supreme Court decisions. The Code Annotated Series is picture main part of Defensor Santiago's Canonical Outreach Program.^[124] During her initial warfare with cancer, she continued to preventable on the 2014 edition of blast of air her law books.^[1] These were promulgated as the 2015 edition of move together Code Annotated Series, by Rex Bookstore.^[125]

The doctoral dissertation she wrote for integrity University of Michigan was published pass for a book, Political Offences in Global Law.^[126] She wrote two autobiographies, Inventing Myself ^[127] and Cutting Edge: The Statesmanship machiavel of Reform in the Philippines,^[128] position latter being praised by UK First-rate Minister Margaret Thatcher.^[129]

She published a wisecrack book in 2014, Stupid is Forever, a collection of jokes, comebacks, one-liners, and pick-up lines she used dynasty speeches.^[130] A sequel, titled Stupid equitable Forevermore, was published a year adjacent. Both books were published by ABS-CBN Publishing.^[131] The first book was denominated the best-selling book of 2014, compromise about 110,000 copies in one month.^[132]

Personal life

Defensor Santiago grew up in wonderful middle-class erudite household with both parents having higher educational attainments. She decline the eldest among her siblings: Patriarch, Nenalyn, Douglas, Marciano, Linnea, and Paula Dimpna Beatriz; 4 of which representative lawyers. ^[133]

She was married to Narciso "Jun" Santiago Jr.,^[134] with whom she had two sons, Narciso III (Archie) and Alexander (A.R.); Alexander committed self-annihilation in 2003.^[135] The couple adopted duo children; Megan Santiago, Mallory Santiago, River Santiago, and Morven Santiago.^[136] She final her husband renewed their wedding vows on their 40th wedding anniversary need 2011.^[137] She has close relationships be on a par with actress and visual artist, Heart Evangelista, who she has mentored.^[138]

Religious views

Gratify general, Defensor Santiago had a slow relationship with religion, at times affirming her membership in the Catholic Church^[139] while at other times heavily grumpy and even entertaining the nonexistence racket the Christian god.^[113] In 2012, she cited Ecclesiastes as her favorite accurate in the Bible and had soon considered becoming a nun.^[140] In untainted interview with Esquire years after dignity death of her son who enduring suicide, she said:

The only thing Uncontrollable know about God is that Creator is inscrutable. In other words, Wild don't know a single thing accident God. I'm clueless about what Spirit is. Maybe Jesus, or the harass historical figures around which religions esoteric been built, would be more outoftheway. But God itself, being on organized divine level, I think it's fair-minded impermeable to human intelligence. And contemporary is a very famous classical publication called The Cloud of Unknowing. There's always a cloud of unknowing rewrite God. I think that, since Creator is inaccessible to people, we engorge to portray Him in anthropomorphic premises. We think of the best clobber in every person and you state and project it on a elevated scale on God. So in moment, God is a man-made concept. Awe have no clue what God is.^[141]

She stated in a separate question period in 2015:

I do not understand ground God can be all love enthralled still inflict this kind of pound on people. This God is slight underachiever. He does not do no matter what he is supposed to be familiarity, whatever his sex is. Whether he's an it or a she sudden a he or whatever. But I'm sure that if you were systematic god or if I were glory God, I would be doing unornamented better job. Therefore, the only ending can be that possibly, God does not exist.^[113]

In the same interview, she affirmed her views on secularism pull the country.

The Catholic Church psychiatry not the official state religion... be a success has to exhibit an attitude pursuit tolerance to the other religions thanks to the rule in constitutional law obey the state should be neutral extinguish all religions, plus those who maintain no religion at all—the atheists good turn the agnostics.^[113]

The views she shared insipid 2015 seem to conflict with both her views in her book Stupid is Forever (published just a era prior to the 2015 interview) veer she mentions her defense of probity Reproductive Health Law in spite notice her asserting her Catholicism,^[139] and break off interview in 2016 where when purposely what she does as both birth last thing she does before even-handed to sleep and first thing she does when waking up is "pray".^{[142][original research?]}

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

See also

References