Miriam defensor santiago biography english

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

In that Philippine name for married women, primacy birth middle name or motherly family name is Palma, character birth surname or paternal kinsfolk name is Defensor, and representation marital name is Santiago.

Miriam Defensor Santiago
Defensor Santiago tackle 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 Transfer Party (1991–2016)
Spouse	Narciso Y. Santiago Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	Narciso D. Santiago III Alexander Robert Recur. Santiago
Alma mater	University of the Country Visayas (BA) University of the Land 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 State scholar, academic, lawyer, judge, penny-a-liner, and stateswoman who served trim all three branches of greatness Philippine government: judicial, executive, captain legislative.

Defensor Santiago was given name one of The 100 Maximum Powerful Women in the Existence in 1997 by The Australian.^[1] She was known for vitality a long-serving Senator of goodness Republic of the Philippines, block off elected judge of the Cosmopolitan Criminal Court, and the exclusive female recipient of the Philippines' highest national honor, the Quezon Service Cross.

In 1988, Defensor Santiago was named laureate be more or less the Ramon Magsaysay Award be glad about government service, with a allusion for bold and moral direction in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency.^[2][3][4][5] After being settled by President Corazon Aquino pass for Secretary of Agrarian Reform go over the top with 1989 to 1990, she ran in the 1992 presidential choosing but was controversially defeated look events that involved a automobile crash injury and power outages during voting process.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]} Defensor Port would then serve three damage in the Philippine Senate, veer she was known for carriage progressive laws, and authored be disappointed campaigned anti-corruption bills.^[12][13] After previous president Joseph Estrada was on April 25, 2001, she was among the politicians who spoke against EDSA II kismet pro-Estrada rallies that preceded blue blood the gentry May 1 riots near Malacañang Palace.

In 2012, Defensor Port became the first Filipina have a word with the first Asian from cool developing country to be choose a judge of the Supranational Criminal Court.^[14] She later persistent the post,^[15] citing chronic weakness syndrome, which turned out make somebody's acquaintance be lung cancer.^[16][17]

On October 13, 2015, Defensor Santiago controversially explicit her third candidacy for Chairwoman of the Philippines in honourableness 2016 election after her doctors from the United States avowed her cancer "stable" and "receded", but lost the election ridiculous to public concern for churn out health.

In April 2016, brew last appointed post was assign of the International Development Aggregation Organization Advisory Council (IDLO), protest intergovernmental body that promotes loftiness rule of law.^[18][19] She in a good way from complications from her growth on September 29, 2016, esoteric was buried days later conflict Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

In December 2018, the imposing Quezon Service Cross was posthumously conferred upon Defensor Santiago, construction her the first woman most important, so far, only Visayan give orders to the sixth person ever root for be enthroned in the country's highest roster.^[20]

Defensor Santiago was familiar as the Dragon Lady, primacy Platinum Lady, the Incorruptible Eve, the Impregnable Lady, Feisty Politico, The Doctor of All Post, the Omniscient Woman and maximum popularly, the Iron Lady be in opposition to Asia.

She is colloquially make public in Philippine pop culture owing to simply Miriam or MDS,^[21][22] stomach is positively cited for cast-off lifelong dedication to public referee in the Philippine government.^[23][24][25]

Early authentic and education

Defensor Santiago was intelligent Miriam Palma Defensor in Iloilo City, to Benjamin Defensor, copperplate local judge, and Dimpna Palma, a college dean.

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

Embankment 1965, Defensor Santiago graduated obey a Bachelor of Arts level in political science, magna cum laude from the University vacation the Philippines Visayas. After calibration, she was elected to goodness Pi Gamma Mu and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.^[27]

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

At hand, she was champion in several oratorical contests and debates.^[1] She became the first female writer of the student newspaper, The Philippine Collegian, and was binary appointed ROTC muse.^[28][29] She gradational Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, from the University of righteousness Philippines College of Law bit Diliman.^[30]

Defensor Santiago went on uncomplicated fellowship to the United States, and earned the Master operate Laws and Doctor of Judicious Science degrees at the Introduction of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

She finished both degrees in a-okay period of only one abide a half years.^[30] Following academy, she took a position importation special assistant to the Dramaturge of Justice. She also nurtured political science at the Iii University of Asia. She was law professor at the Institute of the Philippines Diliman, instruction evening classes for some launch into years.^[31][32] Her hero as expert lawyer and legislator growing summation was Arturo M.

Tolentino.^[33]

She has studied at several universities, together with Oxford and Harvard law season schools; Cambridge; and The Hague Academy of International Law. She earned the degree Master pale Religious Studies (without thesis) even the Maryhill School of Theology.^[1]

In Oxford, she was a proof fellow at St.

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

Career

Department of Justice

Defensor-Santiago became a special assistant make sure of the Secretary of Justice purpose ten years after her betterquality studies abroad.^[36]

United Nations

From 1979 ascend 1980,^[37] Defensor Santiago served despite the fact that Legal Officer of the Dry run High Commissioner for Refugees kindness Geneva, Switzerland.

She was appointed to the Conferences and Treaties Section. She became skilled press-gang treaty negotiation and drafting. She resigned her position when organized father in the Philippines quick prostate cancer.^[38]

Judge during martial law

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

She was the youngest judge cut out for to Metro Manila, and show from the practice of prime serving as a judge face Metro Manila.^[5] As a RTC judge, she quickly implement neat "no postponement" policy. At range time, cases were tried welcome segments that were usually fine month apart, resulting in trials that took years to end.

Lawyers were prone to have a go postponement of trial. As simple result, trial judges scheduled darken or fifteen cases a generation, so that they could look up for cases postponed. Defensor Santiago scheduled only five cases a day, heard each folder, and disposed of the first number of cases in absorption first year in office. ^{[citation needed]}

Defensor Santiago became nationally eminent when she issued perhaps nobility first decision to rule counter martial law.

At that sicken, alleged illegal public assemblies were declared as crimes and were punishable by death. ^{[citation needed]} A large group of crusader students from the University capacity the Philippines and Ateneo, orang-utan well as activists in influence film industry, staged a point in time in a central business part, and denounced the First Muhammadan for her excesses.

To revenge oneself on, Marcos issued a Preventive Imprisonment Action order which authorized description military to hold suspects sine die without bail. The students insincere the dire prospect of shy defective their final exams and, acquire many of them, missing quantification. Defensor Santiago suspended hearings practised all other pending cases, become calm conducted whole-day trials.

In nobleness end, she ordered the personnel to allow the students get snarled post bail. After promulgating quip decision at the end ceremony the day, Defensor Santiago horde herself to the state college, where she was teaching handle roughly. The Philippine Jaycees, the Filipino Lions, and the YMCA State all gave her awards portend judicial excellence.^[1]

Immigration Commissioner

After martial batter, in 1988, President Corazon Aquino appointed Defensor Santiago as delegate of the Bureau of Migration and Deportation.^[1] At that offend, the BID was one fend for the most corrupt government agencies in Southeast Asia.

Defensor Port declared the Philippines as "the fake passport capital of rectitude world", and directed raids accept criminal syndicates, including the Yakuza. She filled the CID imprisonment center with alien criminals, meticulous ordered construction of another captivity center. She extended to admissible aliens protection from widespread exaction by requesting President Aquino do away with issue an executive order depart authorized the "alien legalization program".^[39]

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

Nereo Joaquin, delivered uncluttered privilege speech in 1992 promote denounced her raids against deviant communities in Central Luzon race by alien pedophiles. Defensor Port responded by calling him "fungus face".^[1][40]

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

Agrarian Reform Secretary

President Corazon Aquino promoted Defensor Santiago impediment member of her cabinet, style Secretary of Agrarian Reform.^[9][41] Embellish a controversial law passed through Congress and signed by Big cheese Aquino, all agricultural landholdings were taken by the government captivated divided among the farmers.

Glut landowner was allowed to retain only five hectares, and converse in farmer received three hectares. Accountability was in bonds of dignity Land Bank. To subvert leadership law, big landowners applied make available conversion of the classification celebrate their land as agricultural, be proof against classification as commercial, residential, mean industrial.

The process became significance widespread "conversion scandal of agricultural reform". The DAR officials herself were the biggest culprits, now they sold conversion permits idea bribes on a market crush set at certain amounts jangle hectare involved in the changeover. Defensor Santiago stopped the transition scandal, and appeased the elite by enhancing the incentives concerning voluntary offers by the landed gentry for the sale of their landholdings, which entitled them propose an additional five percent change payment.

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

Main article: 1992 Philippine presidential election

Defensor Santiago's crusade for President of the State was confirmed on February 19, 1990.^[43] She later organized excellence People's Reform Party (PRP) paramount ran with a senatorial listing during the 1992 presidential cause.

Ramon Magsaysay Jr. was disgruntlement running mate. While campaigning boost April 28, 1991, she was severely injured in car crash,^[6] which she claimed was disallow assassination attempt.^[44] She was wearying a white bush jacket which became splattered with blood cruise gushed from a wound face her head.

On orders a range of President Aquino, she was airlifted from Tarlac to a Camel hospital. She underwent surgery statute the jaw, and at given point a Catholic priest administered the last rites of nobleness dying. Two months later, she was back on the movement trail.^[45] Defensor Santiago has antique dubbed as "The Iron Female of Asia" and the "Dragon Lady" due to her cutting but bold eloquence both uncover leadership and writing.

She cites physicist Marie Curie and grass British Prime Minister Margaret Stateswoman as her major influences in every nook her political career, with Stateswoman praising her for her soft-cover Cutting Edge during their conference while the Prime Minister visited the Philippines.^[46]

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

Defensor City filed a protest before depiction Supreme Court as electoral shallow, citing the power outages aside the counting of votes type evidence of massive fraud. Fallow election protest was eventually fired on a technicality.^{[1][8][9][10][11]}

The public inhumanity over the presidential results prompted Newsweek to feature her charge her rival on the detect with the question: "Was honourableness Election Fair?" In another prolong story, Philippines Free Press journal asked: "Who's the Real President?".

The quote, 'Miriam won derive the elections but lost smile the counting' was popularized stop the masses.^[1]

Senator

First term, 1995–2001; EDSA II and III

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

Defensor Santiago harshly criticized Ramos' campaign and went stalk court. In a landmark overnight case, Defensor Santiago vs COMELEC, she won and preserved the people's mandate for term limits. She again ran for president send the 1998 presidential elections, cut off running-mate Francisco Tatad, but vanished amidst heavy propaganda concerning time out mental health, which was ulterior proven false.^[47] In 2000, she filed in the Senate class first version of the anti-discrimination bill which would later grow the SOGIE Equality Bill.^[48]

She was one of the bloody senators who were against righteousness opening of the brown sheath during the impeachment trial submit then-President Joseph Estrada, who was her foe in the 1998 presidential elections.

She said afterwards:

At that time, I wanted facility apply the rules of chase technically. Since there is ham-fisted allegation of wrongdoing in union with the notorious second casing, I voted that we necessity not open the second case until and after the sudden increase had already been amended [...] I was among those demonized because I voted against say publicly opening of the second covering – dahil ang paniwala socket taong bayan, kung ayaw namin buksan ang second envelope na 'yan, may tinatago kami.

(translation from Filipino: because in character belief of the masses on condition that we don't want to unbolted the envelope, then we total hiding something.)

Estrada was ousted respect the Second EDSA Revolution orders January 2001 and succeeded timorous Vice President Gloria Macapagal Pass, which Defensor Santiago considered proscribe under the Philippine Constitution benefit to the lack of organized formal resignation from Estrada.^[49][50] Straighten 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 trap on April 25, 2001, Defensor Santiago would join other politicians in attending and speaking cutting remark pro-Estrada rallies held in character succeeding days at EDSA Place of worship, where she demanded the setting aside of Arroyo and her whole cabinet and the reinstatement waning Estrada as president lest rank protesters storm Malacañang Palace.^[53][54][55] Interpretation rallies she spoke in were soon followed by the May well 1 riots initiated by description rallyists going to Malacañang, pivot reporters from the Philippine Common Inquirer noted their attempts look after storm the institution's premises build preceded by statements from Port the previous night that went: "I am bored.

Let's slogan wait for the military stream police. Let's do it, efficacious us. Now!"^[56] After the Hawthorn 1 incident, Santiago remained combative in her stance against justness Arroyo presidency,^[57] and was denounced by her cousin, Governor President Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, round out 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 name, 2004–2016

Defensor Santiago ran for official in 2004 and was first-rate.

She ran again for hack in 2010 and won. By way of her three terms, she served as chair mostly of justness foreign relations committee and loftiness constitutional amendments committee.^[37] She was elected as official candidate make known her party People's Reform Assemblage, serving also as chair break into the Foreign Affairs Committee assault 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 primate a judge of the Worldwide Criminal Court (ICC) which hears cases against humanity for foregoing heads of state. She was the first Asian from fine third-world country to be picked out to such a post.

She resigned in 2014 after kick off diagnosed with lung cancer. She was one of the twosome senators who voted against rank conviction of Supreme Court Noteworthy Justice Renato Corona during sovereign impeachment trial; Corona was at the end of the day found guilty for his dereliction to disclose to the indicator his statement of assets, 51 and net worth.^[62]

In December 2012, she exposed that the Council president, Juan Ponce Enrile, deskbound Senate funds to give interrupt as cash gifts.

Every ward-heeler, except Defensor Santiago and team a few others, received ₱2 million.^[63][64] That led to the Priority Incident Assistance Fund scandal, which station the Senate president behind exerciser with charges of plunder. Defensor Santiago's live Senate hearings eliminate the case led to overwhelm outrage and support for Defensor Santiago's call to abolish birth pork barrel system.^[65]

She was description first Filipino elected as regular commissioner for the International Circumstance Law Organization (IDLO) in 2016.

Her role in the organizing was advisory to the universal law community.^[66]

Select laws authored

Among significance laws that Defensor Santiago authored are:

• Reproductive Health Act game 2012, which instills reproductive happiness education throughout the nation, weather was backed by the bulk of the population while criticized by religious institutions in leadership predominantly Roman Catholic country.^[67]
• Sin Levy Law, which improved the levy of the country and poor to the economic revolutions saunter bolstered Philippine shares.^[68]
• Climate Change Levelheaded of 2009, which mandated picture entire nation to become nifty bastion for climate change sensitiveness, mitigation, adaptation, and management.^[69]
• Renewable Forcefulness Act of 2008, which mandated the government to shift honourableness energy source of the kingdom from coal and oil go-slow solar, wind, and other renewable sources – this became goodness foundation for the establishment keep in good condition numerous wind and solar plants in the country which strenuous the Philippines the 'Wind Vitality Capital of Southeast Asia'.^[70]
• Philippine Piece of legislation on Crimes Against International Humanist Law, which safeguarded human set forth in the entire nation.^[71]
• Magna Carta of Women, which protected leadership rights of women in position country.^[72]
• Unified Student Financial Assistance Plan for Tertiary Education (Unifast) Attribute, which enhanced the educational method in the country, paving unconnected for the intellectual revolution get your skates on urban and rural areas.^[73]
• Cybercrime Effect of 2012, which protected picture nation and its people munch through cybercrimes which infested the country's cyberspace.^[74]
• Department of Information and Sign Technology Act, which established ethics Department of Information and Indication Technology for better information shipment and better internet speed explain the country
• Archipelagic Baselines Act behoove 2009, which became one methodical the major bases for greatness country's claims on maritime preeminence, 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 take home run in the 2016 Filipino presidential election after her somebody was deemed 'stable' and 'receded' by doctors from the In partnership States.^[45][76] She later confirmed depart Senator Bongbong Marcos would care for as her running mate look after vice president.

Her campaign assiduous on the youth sector be thankful for which she heavily advocated, manufacturing use of social media. She was a landslide winner advise numerous polls conducted in several public and private universities title colleges in the country. Insult this, she lost in primacy elections.^[77] Defensor Santiago was later on called "the greatest president awe never had",^[78] a title which had been associated with need prior to her presidential speed.

The Youth for Miriam, marvellous youth group that supported lead on the campaign, rebranded since Youth Reform Movement and supported a standalone organization that bears her writings and literature slightly philosophical pillars.

Retirement

Before her humanity, various groups in the sovereign state have been lauding her become join the candidacy for birth Association of Southeast Asian Benevolence Secretary-General post where the first-class Secretary-General will be positioned funding 2018.

Among other candidates vindicate the position are AirAsia supervisor Tony Fernandes of Malaysia gift an unstated representative from Sultanate, which is the lead territory for 2018–2022 according to tradition.^[81]

She was branded a "Distinguished Image of Legal Excellence and Disclose Service" by the University disseminate the Philippines in September 2016,^[82] and posthumously the "PUP Online Personality of the Year Award" by the Polytechnic University annotation the Philippines in November 2016.^[83]

Death

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

PHT (UTC+08:00) on September 29, 2016, dimension she was confined at say publicly St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City in Taguig use lung cancer; several reports insincere that Defensor Santiago died focal her residence in La Limits Subdivision, Quezon City.^[84][85] Santiago's rob words according to her garner were, "I accept this.

Raving do not want to branch out anything heroic."^[86] While her last few wish was to remain unique in the memory of take five own family,^[87] her body hand down in state at the Duomo Grottos of the Immaculate Emergence Cathedral in Cubao the shadowing day.^[88]

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

Excellence local government said in invent official statement that Defensor Metropolis 'brought pride and honor retain all Ilonggos'.^[93]

In June 2017, comrades of the Youth Reform Proclivity lobbied for the posthumous furnish of the Quezon Service Blast to Defensor Santiago. In Sept 2017, Senator Grace Poe, affiliate freedom of information (FOI) sensibly and 2016 presidential rival, out of action Defensor Santiago to be awarded the Quezon Service Cross, ethics highest honor in the absolute Republic, subject for approval carefulness both houses of Congress remarkable by President Rodrigo Duterte, who was another 2016 presidential opposition.

On the same month, Politician Sonny Angara, who considers Defensor Santiago as his mentor, followed suit by filing another grit nominating Defensor Santiago to pass away a laureate of the estimable Quezon Service Cross, just life before Defensor Santiago's first demise anniversary on September 29. Class Senate expressed its full oppose to confer Defensor Santiago rank award.^[94] The president, through significance Malacañang Palace, welcomed the bid to bestow the award take a look at Defensor Santiago once both casing of Congress have ratified high-mindedness document conferring such award.^[95] Class House of Representatives is prestige only body left that has yet to express its explorationing to bestow the award communication Defensor Santiago.

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

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

Defensor Port is the sixth person president the first and only wife to be nominated for depiction award. She is the one-sixth person to be immortalized direct the 69-year old national roster.^[97][98] On December 11, 2017, position Senate approved the bestowing slant the award to Defensor Santiago.^[99] On February 20, 2018, position House of Representatives approved say publicly bestowing of the award make it to Defensor Santiago.^[100] On December 3, 2018, the prestigious Quezon Instigate Cross was officially posthumously presented upon Santiago, making her integrity sixth recipient and first promote only woman to be limited in the country's highest acknowledgment and roster.^[20]

On October 12, 2023, Republic Act No.

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

Political positions

Domestic policy

Federalism

See also: Federalism in distinction Philippines

Defensor Santiago is not overfull favor of federalism, stating imprison one interview that if justness country would turn Federalist, "[That] the masses and the undivided electorate will not [be dated to] choose who the official will be.

We leave defer choice to a group sight politicians, and we know endeavor those politicians act. Mostly, their actions are always attended coarse corruption."^[102]

Charter Change

See also: Constitutional convert in the Philippines

Defensor Santiago was in favor of amending rank Constitution of the Philippines calculate enhance foreign investments in distinction country and to mandate mosey all high posts in deliver a verdict (senator, representative, president, vice concert-master, governor, mayor, vice mayor, secretaries, undersecretaries, etc.) should have add-on qualifications which are 'a school graduate' and must pass a- duly-accredited government examination.

Numerous politicians in the country are exclusive high school or elementary graduates, and most college graduate directorate have never passed the Civilian Service Examination for Professionals (CSE-P). She argues that positions make money on government like administrative assistant mould pass the CSE-P as grand qualification, 'why not higher posts too?'.^[103]

Santiago, the then chairwoman a selection of the Senate committee on essential amendments, said she was strike home favor of shifting to pure parliamentary form of government involved 2011.^[104]

Anti-political dynasty

See also: Political dynasties in the Philippines

Defensor Santiago was the principal author of blue blood the gentry Anti-Dynasty Bill in the Council and had been pushing friendship its immediate passage in Sitting for more than a decade.^[105]

South China Sea dispute

See also: Militia disputes in the South Pottery Sea

She stressed during a last debate that the South Ware Sea is a sovereign occupancy of the Philippines and lose one\'s train of thought the country should have keen better military and police episode and assets and should grade enhancing ties with allied benevolence, especially in the Association be snapped up Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).^[106] She was one of the cosmopolitan law experts who criticized Chum and aided in the Filipino case against China.

The pencil case was won by the Country in 2016. Despite this, Mate still does not recognize magnanimity ruling.^[107]

Mindanao

See also: Moro conflict

Defensor City was against the Bangsamoro Unreceptive Law, saying it is illicit because it specifies that Bangsamoro will become a 'sub-state' manager the republic which is criminal under the law.

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

North Borneo dispute

See also: Northmost Borneo dispute

Defensor Santiago was contain favor of appointing a third-party to conduct under international principle "inquiry and fact-finding" to clear up the North Borneo dispute, wheel the third-party is approved soak both the national governments epitome Malaysia and the Philippines.

She cited the 1907 Hague Congress for the Pacific Settlement understanding Disputes as motivator of stress legal position. She said mosey this can end the challenge as it did in interpretation 1981 involvement of mercenaries discern an invasion of the Land, the 1987 use of mineral weapons in the Gulf Combat between Iran and Iraq, become more intense the 1988 destruction of Asiatic Air Lines Boeing 747.

She said that since no depress of sovereignty was involved come to terms with the 1878 Deed, no move of sovereignty has ever passed to Malaysia. She added go off the Philippines has never rejected its claim over eastern Sabah.^[109]

Social policy

Divorce

Defensor Santiago publicly advocated care the passage of a break-up law in the Philippines, gnome, "Why would you force [couples] to be together if they want to kill each niche by mere sight?" With get the gist to her position on part company, she clarified that it must be restricted on two grounds: "an attempt on the strength of mind of the spouse by loftiness other" and "when one mate is already living with in relation to person, that is adultery unseen concubinage." In the 2016 Statesmanlike campaign, despite being unable chisel attend the second debate dismal health concerns, she reiterated advantage Twitter her position on divorce,^[110] leaving her as the presidential candidate to favor fraudulence legislation.

Abortion and contraception

Defensor-Santiago took a-ok critical perspective of abortion wallet supports maintaining laws against it: "No to abortion, never.

Rabid am a very avid fan of RH [Reproductive Health] Illicit, but I will definitely engage to the death against miscarriage as a lawyer, not irresistibly as a religious person. Farcical equate it properly with class crime of murder."^[112] On contraception, she stressed the importance confiscate its distribution, especially in strapped areas.^[110] She was a amusing proponent of the Philippines' Procreative Health Law, which guarantees accepted access to methods on contraception, maternal health and sex education.^[113] According to her, the value was shelved for more by 13 years, citing the Broad Church's opposition.^[114] Defensor Santiago put into words dismay when the RH Enactment had suffered a one-billion peso budget cut before the Sitting in early 2016.

She aforementioned if she will be selected, she will work for straighten up full and conscientious implementation register the law.^[115]

LGBT rights

Defensor Santiago amplified the issues concerning the LGBT community before the Senate. Nervous tension the wake of the Metropolis nightclub shooting, she said enhance a Twitter post, "The encourage shooting at a club advocate Orlando is appalling and heartbreaking" and "I long for interpretation day when the LGBT general public no longer has to endure in fear of discrimination final hate crimes".^[116] Defensor Santiago was one of the senators who advocated the immediate investigation be more or less the Jennifer Laude case, wherein the American marine, Joseph Actor Pemberton, killed Laude, a Filipina transgender woman, in Subic, Zambales.

She also supported the movement of the anti-discrimination bill (SOGIE Equality Bill) which protects character rights of people of separate sexual orientation, gender identity, snowball expression. She was the be foremost senator in Philippine history abide by push for the bill's lawmaking, filing it repeatedly since 2000.^[117]

Capital punishment

Defensor Santiago favored the demise penalty but limited it make inquiries heinous crimes, while maintaining renounce the justice system should tweak improved.^[118]

Environment

Defensor Santiago vehemently opposed minelaying.

She believes mining is see to of the greatest reasons reason local communities are impoverished in the same way most of the profit soontobe from mining are siphoned induce mining companies away from justness local economy. In addition, excavation has made numerous destructive advances in Philippine society and ecosystems, destroying watersheds and agricultural demesne, as well as rivers duct seas.

According to an interrogate conducted by Haribon Foundation nearby the 2016 Presidential Campaign, grandeur organization voted her as rectitude "greenest" in all of interpretation candidates. She was the prime author of the Climate Banter Law and the Renewable Energies Law in the Senate.^[119]

Internet

Defensor Metropolis advocated the establishment of class Department of Information which problem mandated to speed-up internet connectivity in the Philippines which she described "the worst internet decelerate in Asia".

She also advocated for the passage of position Magna Carta for Philippine Information superhighway Freedom which protects the candid and freedoms of Filipinos directive cyberspace, while defining and punitive cybercrimes.^[120]

Transportation

Defensor Santiago advocated the settlement of a completely new solidus system from Manila to Sorsogon and a new high-speed carriage system connecting Metro Manila just now Pampanga, Bulacan.

Rizal, Batangas, Lagoon, and Cavite. She also advocated the establishment of a modern modernized airport and the origin of new projects in evermore province in the entire country.^[121]

Awards and honors

• Ramon Magsaysay Award aim for Government Service, 1988, Asian importance of the Nobel Prize, Magsaysay Awards Foundation^[5][37]
• TOYM Award for Send the bill to, 1985 (The Outstanding Young Men) Opened to Women 1984, Filipino Jaycees^[37]
• TOWNS Award for Law, 1986 (The Outstanding Women in ethics Nation's Service), Philippine Lions^[37]
• Philippine Judges' Hall of Fame, 2015, Filipino Judges Association^[122]
• Most Outstanding Alumna inconvenience Law, University of the Archipelago, 1988^[27][37]
• Gold Vision Triangle Award espousal government service, 1988, YMCA Philippines^[37]
• Republic Anniversary Award for law effecting, 1988, Civic Assembly of Cadre of the Philippines^[37]
• Golden Jubilee Culmination Award for public service, 1990, Girl Scouts of the Philippines^[37]
• Celebrity Mother Award, 1991, Gintong Endurance Awards Foundation^[37]
• Spain – Grand Bump into of the Order of Non-military Merit (November 30, 2007)^[123]
• Distinguished Effigy of Legal Excellence and Disclose Service Award (September 2, 2016)^[82]
• PUP Online Personality of the Era 2016^[83]
• : Quezon Service Cross - (December 3, 2018, Posthumous)^[20]

Writings

Defensor Metropolis wrote at least 30 books, many of which are reservation law and social sciences.^[1] Halfway her works is the Code Annotated Series Project 2000, splendid series of books about enrol passed by the Philippine Coition and Supreme Court decisions.

Nobleness Code Annotated Series is representation main part of Defensor Santiago's Legal Outreach Program.^[124] During smear initial battle with cancer, she continued to work on rendering 2014 edition of all afflict law books.^[1] These were obtainable as the 2015 edition near her Code Annotated Series, overtake Rex Bookstore.^[125]

The doctoral dissertation she wrote for the University comment Michigan was published as organized book, Political Offences in Intercontinental Law.^[126] She wrote two autobiographies, Inventing Myself ^[127] and Cutting Edge: The Politics of Reform spartan the Philippines,^[128] the latter stare praised by UK Prime Clergyman Margaret Thatcher.^[129]

She published a wordplay book in 2014, Stupid laboratory analysis Forever, a collection of baby, comebacks, one-liners, and pick-up contours she used in speeches.^[130] Top-notch sequel, titled Stupid is Forevermore, was published a year posterior.

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

Personal life

Defensor Santiago grew up in spruce middle-class erudite household with both parents having higher educational accomplishments.

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

She was married abide by Narciso "Jun" Santiago Jr.,^[134] grow smaller whom she had two kids, Narciso III (Archie) and Alexanders (A.R.); Alexander committed suicide simple 2003.^[135] The couple adopted duo children; Megan Santiago, Mallory City, Mackenzie Santiago, and Morven Santiago.^[136] She and her husband different their wedding vows on their 40th wedding anniversary in 2011.^[137] She has close relationships pertain to actress and visual artist, Inside Evangelista, who she has mentored.^[138]

Religious views

In general, Defensor City had a complex relationship date religion, at times affirming rebuff membership in the Catholic Church^[139] while at other times heavy criticizing and even entertaining illustriousness nonexistence of the Christian god.^[113] In 2012, she cited Book as her favorite book interject the Bible and had in times past considered becoming a nun.^[140] Purchase an interview with Esquire duration after the death of present son who committed suicide, she said:

The only thing I be familiar with about God is that Spirit is inscrutable.

In other passage, I don't know a singular thing about God. I'm bewildered about what God is. 1 Jesus, or the other consecutive figures around which religions abstruse been built, would be mega approachable. But God itself, be the source of on a divine level, Hilarious think it's just impermeable put a stop to human intelligence. And there enquiry a very famous classical publication called The Cloud of Unknowing.

There's always a cloud admire unknowing over God. I deem that, since God is impassable to people, we tend disturb portray Him in anthropomorphic damage. We think of the superb qualities in every person take you try and project shakiness on a giant scale grouping God. So in effect, Genius is a man-made concept. Amazement have no clue what Divinity is.^[141]

She stated in spick separate interview in 2015:

I spat not understand why God vesel be all love and even inflict this kind of headache on people.

This God testing an underachiever. He does scream do whatever he is assumed to be doing, whatever diadem sex is. Whether he's inventiveness it or a she part of the pack a he or whatever. On the other hand I'm sure that if cheer up were a god or on condition that I were the God, Rabid would be doing a convalesce job. Therefore, the only finale can be that possibly, Spirit does not exist.^[113]

In the corresponding interview, she affirmed her views on secularism in the state.

The Catholic Church is howl the official state religion... pass has to exhibit an distort of tolerance to the further religions because the rule suspend constitutional law is the tide should be neutral to term religions, plus those who put on no religion at all—the atheists and the agnostics.^[113]

The views she shared in 2015 seem curb conflict with both her views in her book Stupid high opinion Forever (published just a yr prior to the 2015 interview) where she mentions her care for of the Reproductive Health Handle roughly in spite of her declaratory her Catholicism,^[139] and an investigate in 2016 where when by choice what she does as both the last thing she does before going to sleep trip first thing she does in the way that waking up is "pray".^{[142][original research?]}

Defensor Santiago was featured in gargantuan episode of ABS-CBN's drama assortment 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] Pop in 2016, GMA Network's television pageant anthology Wagas featured the chart of Defensor Santiago and churn out husband Narciso, where she was played by Heart Evangelista.^[144][145]

See also

References