Miriam's wake a sea of red as supporters pay last respects

Former Senator Miriam Santiago's wake at the Cathedral Grottos of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral was a sea of red on Friday as supporters arrived wearing her 2016 campaign color.

Volunteers for Santiago's last election run told GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" that they wore red to paid tribute to the late senator.

"Yun po din yung ni-request namin, ng grupo kahapon, na magsama-sama dito mamaya na naka-red shirt upang i-celebrate yung buhay ni Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago," said Vincent Agustin, a member of the Youth for Miriam group.

But according to Atty. Riza Ofilada, Santiago's Chief of Staff who had been with her for 20 years, the color red was special in more ways than one.

"Kasi nung nililigawan daw siya ni sir, ni-line up yung hallway ng dorm with red roses. That's why she loves red roses," Ofilada explained.

Aside from her supporters, children, students and employees also lined up to bid farewell to their idol.

"Malaking kawalan yun obviously," said Atty. Rowena Daroy-Morales, Santiago's friend from the University of the Philippines College of Law. "Malaking malaking kawalan dahil dun sa mga minumungkaki niya ay nags-istimulate ng iba't ibang klaseng mga opinyon kung saan nagreresulta ng isang dynamic po, na propesyon sa aming abogado at dynamism po sa ating lipunan."

Public Attorney's Office chief Atty. Rowena Persida Acosta said that Santiago was her idol.

"Nakita ko yung puso niya para sa pagbabago at sa mahihirap at isa siya sa idolo... yung tapang niya, kahit maukha ko lang yung 80 percent, yung galing niya sa batas... idol na idol ko si Senator Miriam," Acosta said.

Vice President Leni Robredo, fromer First Lady Imelda Marcos, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, and former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro were among the visitors on Friday.

The wake will continue until the funeral mass on Sunday, October 2. — Jessica Bartolome/DVM, GMA News