Miriam Defensor Santiago passes away

MANILA - Former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has passed away after a long bout with lung cancer. She was 71.

Senator Grace Poe announced Santiago's passing Thursday, as she offered a prayer during a Freedom of Information bill hearing.

In a Twitter post, Santiago’s staff said the former senator died “peacefully” at 8:52 a.m. Thursday. The wake will reportedly be at the Cathedral Grottos of The Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao.

Santiago's passing came just weeks after she was brought to the hospital after suffering complications.

The former lawmaker, known for being feisty and fearless, first announced on July 2, 2014 that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She was then teary-eyed speaking to reporters but still went on to tell jokes, even saying that she was "excited" she had the disease.

In October 2015, or over a year after her announcement, Santiago declared she would seek the presidency for the third time after having supposedly "conquered" cancer.


TRIBUTES POUR FOR MIRIAM

Senator Franklin Drilon, who had known Santiago since their college days in the 1960s, lamented the passing of a "pillar" of the justice system.

"We have lost a brilliant mind, a pillar in the legal profession and we will miss her," Drilon told ABS-CBN News Channel.

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III also extended his sympathies to the family of Santiago, his former law professor at the University of the Philippines

"She has made her position on a lot of issues on... If you want to remember the good senator, then you can always look at her record in the Senate for her philosophy in life, her beliefs. We are blessed in that way -- that once upon a time, there was a Miriam Santiago who became senator and who shared her intelligence and insight in the Senate," he said.

A LIFE WELL-LIVED

Santiago served in all three branches of the government. She was a former presiding judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (judicial branch); immigration commissioner, agrarian reform secretary (executive branch); and a senator for three terms (legislative branch) or from 1995 to 2001 and 2004 to 2016.

She had filed the most number of bills in the Senate. Some of her pending bills are the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, which seeks an end to political dynasty in the country, and the Anti-Signage of Public Works Bill, which aims to bar politicians from claiming credit for projects built with public funds by putting their names on signages.

Santiago was the first Filipino to be elected as judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2011. She, however, let go of her post in 2014 due to her chronic fatigue syndrome.


A cum laude graduate of Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines, she was also a UP law professor for some 10 years.

Her most prestigious feat is winning the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, the Magsaysay Award for Government Service, in 1998.

Santiago also wrote books on law and the social sciences.

Her recent books, best-selling "Stupid is Forever" and sequel "Stupid is Forevermore," are compilation of jokes, one-liners, pick-up lines and speeches that she had delivered.

SEEKING PRESIDENCY

Santiago narrowly lost to Fidel V. Ramos in the 1992 presidential race and filed an election protest. In 1998, she placed 8th in a 10-person contest which saw then Vice President Joseph Estrada win the presidency by a wide margin.

Throughout the presidential campaign for the May 9, 2016 elections, Santiago repeatedly dismissed questions about her health and her capability to lead the country.

She was, however, not active in the campaign trail with her running mate, Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. She only attended a few provincial rallies.

She also failed to attend the second presidential debate on March 20 because she had to undergo a clinical trial for a new anti-cancer pill.

During the third and final debate, she also stuttered at times as she answered questions and presented her platforms.

Santiago lost and placed last in the presidential race dominated by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. She got only over 3% of the votes cast for president.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marcos confident of victory in VP race

MANILA - Hours after voting, Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he is confident of his victory in the vice presidential race.

"I'm very confident that we will win the election," Marcos told reporters at his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong Monday afternoon.

"Of course, I have already been a victim of winning the election and losing the counting, so we'll make sure that doesn't happen."

Marcos, the only son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, said among the factors that pushed and kept him in politics was the "legacy of service" that he received from his father.

According to Marcos, the running mate of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, he has no problem working with whoever wins the presidential race.

Santiago has been trailing behind the four other presidential candidates in voter preference surveys.

Marcos, on the other hand, has been leading among the six vice presidential aspirants.

"I have no problem working with anyone of the presidential candidates," the senator said.

Marcos cast his vote early Monday, showing up at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Ilocos Norte at about 6:10 a.m.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Duterte's son 'captivated' by Miriam, has unusual request

MANILA -- The son of presidential bet, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has issued a request to his father's rival, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, ahead of the final presidential debate Sunday.

"I wish you all the best. P.S. Bring the best out of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, give him the fight of a lifetime!" Sebastian said in a Facebook post Sunday.

Sebastian also wished Santiago luck, as he recalled the time he saw the senator in person.

"I feel so lucky that I had the chance to have a picture with you. To my surprise, you even went over to me when my friend asked for a photo. I was so captivated by your presence that I did not know what to do," Sebastian said.

Santiago's camp said the meet-and-greet took place at the Davao City airport before the senator left for Manila last week.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam wants longer jail time for 'tanim-bala' culprits

MANILA - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago believes raising penalties against persons who plant bullets or firearms will help deter airport security personnel from engaging in the alleged "tanim-bala" extortion scheme.

Santiago is set to file a bill seeking to amend the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act by increasing the penalty against planting evidence, if committed by a private individual, to reclusion temporal.

The amendment, if approved, means that a person found guilty of inserting, placing, or attaching a bullet, a firearm, or parts of either, with the intent of incriminating another, may be punished with imprisonment for 12 years and one day up to 20 years.

"The government must send a clear message to these airport syndicates that it will not tolerate these criminal activities and will prosecute those who plant evidence with as much zeal as it pursues those who smuggle firearms and ammunition," Santiago said in statement Friday.

At present, the penalty for planting evidence is prision mayor (imprisonment for six years and one day to 12 years), except when the person found guilty is a public official or employee, in which case, the penalty is reclusion perpetua (imprisonment for 20 years and one day to 40 years).

According to Santiago, even if proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 10591 decriminalize possession of not more than three bullets, the tanim-bala operations can still persist, simply by increasing the number of ammunition planted.

"The law must punish those who, in the guise of upholding peace and order, abuse the law to prey on the innocent, whether these offenders are public officers or private citizens," the senator said.

The Senate blue ribbon committee and committee on public services on Thursday started investigating the bullet-planting scheme which has victimized travelers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and foreigners, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Some of the victims, including OFW Gloria Ortinez and American missionary Lane Michael White were asked to recount their ordeal while airport officials were grilled over the controversy.

'Your son's life will be ruined': Stepmom recounts extortion vs American tourist

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

#Halalan2016: 6 things to know about Miriam Defensor Santiago

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is among the most interesting senators in the country with her wit, humor, and feistiness. Moreso because of a long list of awards she received. Her popularity has always been high, even being dubbed as "The Iron Lady of Asia" by Asia Magazine in 1989.

Here are some things that you should know about Miriam Defensor Santiago.

1. She always graduated with honors

From grade school to law school, Santiago has proven that she is among the smartest students in school. She graduated valedictorian in elementary and high school, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the University of the Philippines. She also graduated from the UP College of Law with a Bachelor of Law degree, cum laude.

Santiago is also a holder of three honorary Doctor of Law degrees from University of San Agustin, Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro, and Centro Escolar University.

2. She is the first female agrarian reform secretary, and first female Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation

Santiago was the Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation from 1988 to 1989, and Secretary of Agrarian Reform from 1989 to 1990 during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino. She is the first female to hold both positions.

In 1968, she became the editor-in-chief of the official school paper of the University of the Philippines, The Philippine Collegian, the first female to be named as such after 50 years.


3. Santiago was a beauty title holder

The feisty senator said she held a campus beauty title, not only once, but twice. She was part of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) corps sponsor while she was studying law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.


4. Santiago loved to dance.

She also said she loved to dance when she was younger, posting a picture of her young self with her brother, Gen. Benjamin Defensor.

5. Santiago is the first Filipino to be elected as judge of the International Criminal Court.

She was elected by the States Parties to Rome Statute as judge of the International Criminal Court in 2011. She is the first Filipino, and first Southeast Asian to be elected as such.

6. She has written several books, with her law books often cited in Supreme Court cases.

As an experienced lawyer and legislator, Santiago's books on law have been used in several Supreme Court cases. She has also published several books on politics and law.

She has also recently published two books of quotes, Stupid is Forever and Stupid is Forevermore, as well as other books about herself.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam's book now a certified bestseller

MANILA – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago added another feather to her cap as her newest book is now a certified bestseller.

National Book Store recently gave Santiago the Certified Bestseller Award for “Stupid is Forevermore,” the sequel to her humor book “Stupid is Forever.”

“Stupid is Forevermore,” which was released last June 15 in time for Santiago’s birthday, has sold over 120,000 copies nationwide and has since been number one in the Bestsellers List of National Bookstore.

On the other hand, over 450,000 copies of “Stupid is Forever” have been sold in only eight months.

Both books are published by ABS-CBN Publishing.

On the sidelines of the “Stupid is Forevermore” event, Santiago confirmed that she will run for president in 2016, saying there is nothing left for her to do now that she has already “conquered” cancer.

It was on July 2, 2014 when the senator announced that she has stage 4 lung cancer.

Still haven’t bought a copy of “Stupid is Forevermore”? Take a look at 15 quotes from the book that will make you think and laugh.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam tells Napenas: You're a failure

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago called relieved Special Action Force (SAF) director Getulio Napeñas a failure over the bloody Mamasapano operation, but stopped short of saying that he is the one solely to blame for the fiasco.

At the continuation of the Senate inquiry on Thursday, Santiago lambasted Napeñas for citing "intervening factors" in the failed anti-terror operation that left 44 SAF commandos dead.

Upon questioning, Napeñas said that according to the mission plan, the assault force was supposed to reach the target at 2:30 a.m. but "there were intervening factors that happened along the way."

"That means you're a failure, you're incompetent, because you cite intervening factors. When you make a plan, there should be no such factors. The plan should proceed very smoothly, if not perfectly," the senator told Napeñas.

"'The currents were very strong, the terrain was worse than we thought.' Ang dami niyong rason dun. Eh kayo ang nagpaplano eh."

She said the problem with Napeñas is that he is assuming full responsibility for the operation. "I doubt very much your statement that you were in full control of that operation."

According to Santiago, what happened in Mamasapano should not be called an encounter but a massacre, saying the SAF troopers "literally walked into a trap" with their escape routes fully covered by enemy forces.

"That is why we call this a massacre, not an encounter," she said, adding that there was "direct and brutal" violation of the conventions of war on the part of the Muslim rebels.

The senator was pertaining to a video showing an unidentified man shooting twice a SAF trooper who was injured and no longer able to fight back.

"Kayabang-yabang na tao, in-upload pa niya sa Youtube, dahil parang trophy of war niya yan eh. Ganun ang klaseng kalaban meron tayo," she said.

ANC, February 12, 2015

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam on Bilibid luxuries: Make prisoners pay

MANILA - If you can't stop them, at least make them pay.

This, according to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, should be the government's response to the luxurious lifestyle of certain inmates at the national penitentiary.

"Several years ago, I recommended that we should follow the procedure in the United States where they are allowed not necessarily luxurious but at least improved circumstances of detention over those who are just treated in a regular manner," she told reporters on Wednesday.

"Then we can make them pay and give the money for government funds."

Calling the situation old news, Santiago said the discovery of some prisoners' luxurious lifestyle has been going on for a long time.

"If you cannot prevent it, then you must mitigate it," she said.

Santiago added that the Justice Department must reveal the identities of officials who have been protecting the system, saying the officials are criminally liable.

The senator does not agree, however, with renewed calls to bring back the death penalty.

On Tuesday, Senator Vicente Sotto III proposed that the death penalty be revived particularly for high-level drug traffickers like the ones who were found to be enjoying luxuries while in jail.

Santiago pointed out that the Philippines has international commitments to abolish death as a punishment for crimes.

"If we are about to make a U-turn here, we have to contend with the opposition of the European countries," she said. "Plus it will not sit well with the coming visit of the Pope of the Catholic Church, which has always been anti-capital punishment."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam tells Purisima to leave 'White House'

MANILA - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is advising suspended Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima to move out of the so-called White House, the official residence of the PNP Chief in Camp Crame.

"Hindi na siya dapat doon because all of these are inherent with the position. If the suspension order has been handed down, out of delicadeza he should move somewhere else. Maybe he thinks it's only six months, maybe he thinks of the fiscal inconvenience of moving out. It's the nominal consequences."

The Ombudsman earlier ordered Purisima's preventive suspension for six months for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty stemming from an anomalous contract with Werfast Documentary Agency.

An anonymous complaint has alleged that Purisima and other PNP officials got commissions from the mandatory delivery fees paid by gun owners in securing their gun licenses.

Purisima earlier ordered the closure of satellite offices of the Civil Security Group (CSG) tasked to process the licensing of firearms across the country.

Gun owners were then required to troop to the PNP's headquarters in Camp Crame for license renewal and other processes, while their license cards will be delivered by Werfast to their respective homes.

Purisima has sought an appeal of his suspension over a corruption case pending before the Office of the Ombudsman. The PNP chief is protesting the manner by which the suspension was implemented.

Santiago, a former trial court judge, however said: "Ano rason bakit ayaw sumunod? What stays in my mind [is he is] basing his argument on procedure. Mali pagbigay sa kanya. If that's the case, trial judges will always uphold substance of law rather than procedure of law. Argument is weak. It is merely procedural. Nagkamali sa pagbigay, natanggap niya, anong problema? He received the notice."

While President Aquino has been asked to replace Purisima, Santiago sidestepped the issue.

"I don't have any particular ambition to let go or not let go of some incumbent. That's for the President to decide. I must say that the tipping point will come when Purisima himself becomes fully aware he has turned into an embarrassment for the President then perhaps out of loyalty to his chief, he should offer to resign," she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam hopes for improved health with new cancer pill

MANILA – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who earlier revealed she has cancer of the left lung, thanked her supporters on Friday for all the kind messages she has been receiving.

In a post on her official Twitter account, Santiago said that she is now on a course for a new cancer pill.

The feisty senator described the pill as ''a smaller version of chemotherapy, with the main difference that the pill does not produce the deadly side effects of chemotherapy."

Santiago said chances are high that she will be ''as good as new'' after taking the pills for about six weeks.

''So see you!" she said.

Santiago earlier told reporters that while the cancer has reached stage 4, it is not metastatic – which means, it is not spreading.

She said the cells in her left lung developed a ''genetic mutation'' that made them impermeable to cancer and ''gives them energy to fight off the cancer nearby."

She said her doctors do not know what caused the cancer.

She said that if the pills fail to cause the cancer cells to degenerate, She might leave for Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles where her sister works as a doctor and is in touch with the top lung cancer specialist there.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Heart believes Miriam will overcome cancer

MANILA – Actress Heart Evangelista is optimistic that Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago will overcome her lung cancer.

In an interview with entertainment site Pep, Evangelista said she was able to talk to Santiago right after the feisty senator announced in a press conference last week that she is ill.

“Nalaman ko lang mga three days ago, tumawag ako sa kanya, nag-usap kami siguro mga one hour. Okay naman siya, parang wala naman siyang sakit. Normal siya talaga,” she said.

While they were talking over the phone, Evangelista said Santiago showed no signs that she will not fight this ordeal.

“Feeling ko, she’ll be fine kasi the way she said it, or ewan ko… the way she said it na, 'Don’t worry about me, no! I’ll take the medicine, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry,' sabi niya. Hindi pa naman daw kumalat pa. Hindi pa naman daw siya nag-a-Apostle’s Creed, sabi niya,” she said.

But according to Evangelista, Santiago displayed symptoms of her illness during their recent trip to New York.

“Matagal na talaga siyang may sakit, iba’t ibang sakit. In fact, nung nasa New York kami, lahat kami dun super trench coat, super fur coat. Siya naka-sleeveless, naiinitan daw siya. Ganung kakaiba ang sakit niya, hindi niya ma-feel ang cold weather. Sa gamot niya,” she said.

Despite this, Evangelista said Santiago assured her she would see this battle through.

While Santiago’s lung cancer has reached stage 4, it is not metastatic – which means that it is not spreading.

The senator had said the cells in her left lung have developed a “genetic mutation” that made them impermeable to cancer and “gives them energy to fight off the cancer nearby.”

Although her doctors do not know what caused the cancer since she does not smoke nor drink, Santiago said she will undergo chemotherapy – but in the form of a tablet, which she has to take every day.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam: Cunanan passes credibility test

MANILA - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago believes the testimony of Dennis Cunanan, director general on-leave of the Technology Resource Center (TRC), will help pin down the legislators linked to the pork barrel scam.

She believes, however, that Cunanan is not as innocent as he claims.

In a press conference after the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on Thursday, Santiago told reporters that Cunanan's "testimony would be sufficient to convict in a court of law, but you [also] have to weigh it together with the testimony of Ruby Tuason, so that makes the two of them.”

In his testimony, Cunanan said senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla directly chose the non-government organizations where they would course their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations.

Estrada and Revilla, Cunanan recalled, had reprimanded his office for supposedly delaying the release of the funds to the NGOs connected to businesswoman Janet Napoles.

Cunanan said the paperwork for PDAF-funded projects usually takes a maximum 30 days. Both senators, however, wanted to hasten the process so they pressed him to speed up the approvals.

In Enrile’s case, Cunanan said the former Senate president did not follow up the paperwork himself, and that the TRC dealt with Enrile's former chief of staff, Atty. Gigi Reyes.

Santiago said she believes Cunanan "is credible because he has knowledge of a lot of details. Credibility in a trial court is usually determined not by the general statement of the accused, particularly if this turns out to be vague, but from the specific details furnished by the accused or by any witness on the stand.”

She said Cunanan has “so many details that you would immediately, instinctively know he is telling the truth. He can’t possibly invent these transactional details because it will be very easy to prove him a liar just by interviewing people at the TRC. He was director general for about four years. You can grant him the presumption of regularity in the performance of his official functions.”

Cunanan dealt with the senators only via phone, however.

Santiago said there is lack of Philippine jurisprudence when it comes to phone calls as direct evidence. Nonetheless, these are already accepted in US courts, she said.

Innocent?

Santiago said she doubts Cunanan did not receive kickbacks from the pork barrel funds.

“I think you reached moral crossroads and said to yourself: I either join the kickback conspiracy or resign, but you did not do either one…Mahirap paniwalaan na di ka tumanggap, nakikita mong ginagawa na nila e,” she told Cunanan.

Cunanan claimed he was merely a co-signatory in the checks released to NGOs. He said there was a “legislative liaison officer” who was supposed to verify the authenticity of the NGOs chosen by the lawmakers.

He said he only took upon himself, even if it was not his job, to call and verify with the lawmakers’ offices.

Santiago explained: “He’s trying to prove that he is innocent. But in my former judge’s mind, it is entirely possible from experience in the courtroom that a witness might be false on some aspects of his testimony but might be credited with truth telling in the major aspects of his testimony. In other words, he’s telling not the whole truth. Let us say he’s telling ¾ truth, ¼ lie.”

This should not cancel his entire testimony, however, Santiago said.

“Many, many cases prove that a witness may still be considered as an eyewitness and can be the basis for a judgment even if in certain parts of his testimony, he appears to have told a lie…that’s human nature,” she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miriam blows top over 'hear no Miriam' act

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago snapped at private prosecutor Vitaliano Aguirre on Wednesday and asked that the impeachment court cite him for contempt for covering his ears while she was admonishing the prosecution.

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, later cited him for contempt. In a ruling, Presiding Judge and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said: “[Aguirre] is hereby cited for contempt. The penalty will be taken in the caucus next week.”

It was Senator-judge Jinggoy Estrada who took the floor and informed the court that Aguirre, a private prosecutor, was covering his ears while Santiago was making a speech. Senator-judge Alan Cayetano was also able to take a picture of Aguirre covering his ears.

Aguirre, who refused to be cowed by the feisty senator, said he could not take her “shrill” voice anymore. “It’s the first time in my 40 years as lawyer na isang judge ay nag-lecture sa abogado."

Aguirre said that if Santiago wants respect, she too should respect the prosecution. Santiago has berated the prosecution several times for being unprepared in their case.

Aguirre said: “Aalis sana ako, kaya lang…”

Santiago immediately said: “Granted!” She said Aguirre covered his ears because her speech was against the prosecution.

Future lawyers

Senator-judge Pia Cayetano supported Santiago’s manifestation against Aguirre, saying it’s unfortunate that such behavior came at a time when the Supreme Court just issued the results of the 2011 Bar exams.

She said young law students are taught early on that “utmost respect is due a judge as soon as a lawyer enters the court.”

Enrile said some may call him a traditionalist but this behavior is the norm that he learned during his student days at the University of the Philippines College of Law.

He said he knew already that some drama will later unfold in the hearing considering the “passion, heat and intensity of emotions.”

On the 26th day of trial, before the court suspended the trial until March 12, “we witnessed a disrespect by a member of the Bar to this court…We were taught to practice professional behavior and utmost control and respect to the court before whom we appear,” Enrile said.

House prosecutor Rodolfo Fariñas apologized on behalf of the whole team. “We express our regrets for what happened especially to the lady [Miriam] from Iloilo.”

Enrile said: “Apology accepted but we will enforce respect for this court.”

Bad faith

Early in the hearing, Santiago said the prosecution came to the court in bad faith when it listed eight articles against Chief Justice Renato Corona, only to withdraw five in the end. She said it was as if the court was struck by “thunderbolt.”

“This is a very serious concern for me as a lawyer and as a former judge. Una, nagbibiro ba kayo? In writing na ang inyong compliance…Sabi niya we’ll present so many witnesses, so many documentary pieces of evidence tapos ngayon sasabihin niyo, without explanation, our case is very strong we no longer want to present evidence on these causes of action,” she said.

Santiago said the prosecution went around to inform the public that they already have a strong case in the remaining three articles.

“You are prejudging the case. What are you doing? Conducting trial by publicity? Let me remind you, an impeachment trial is both quasi-judicial and quasi-political but that we place that in context,” she said.

She said: “This is not a direct democracy and we are not in Athens. The people are not going to decide this case. It is the high court of impeachment, this Senate. It is the Senate alone that will decide this case. We are going to hold our results immaculate of all the propaganda that you are distributing abroad, meaning to say, outside of this courtroom.”

She said the prosecution should respect their right to vote. She said the prosecutors were “anyayabang, anggagago (conceited, stupid)."

Fariñas later asked that the word "gago (stupid)" be stricken off the record. Santiago agreed.

After being lashed at verbally by Santiago, Aguirre finally left the session hall.

Santiago, who has been suffering from hypertension, was calmed down by her colleagues.

article source: abs-cbnnews.com