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Former senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani dies at age 87


Ex-senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, sister of former President Fidel V. Ramos, died on Monday morning.

His daughter Lila Shahani, secretary general of the Philippine National Commission to UNESCO, said her mother passed away at 2:40 a.m.

"Mom left the body, by the awful grace of God, at 2:40 am this morning, just a few hours after my 50th birthday," the younger Shahani wrote in a Facebook post.

The former senator was in the ICU as she battled cancer.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Lila said a public viewing will be held on Wednesday at Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque. 

The former senator's remains will be brought to the Senate on Thursday, to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday afternoon, and to the Cosmopolitan Church on Taft Avenue in Manila on Friday evening.

On Saturday and Sunday, the body will be at Funeraria Paz in Sucat. Cremation follows the next day.

Political and diplomatic career

Shahani played a major role in Philippine politics and humanitarian affairs especially women issues.

She worked in the UN Division of Human Rights from 1964 to 1968, and chaired the Commission on the Status of Women in 1974.

Shahani was also ambassador to Australia from 1981 to 1986, and secretary general of the World Conference on the United Nations Decade of Women in Kenya in 1986.

She was also appointed as the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Social and Humanitarian Affairs.

A senator from 1987 to 1998, Shahani was chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Senate President Pro-Tempore, and Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture, among others during her term.

She authored and sponsored various laws covering culture, education, agriculture, foreign service, women's rights, and animal rights.

Shahani is credited for initiating and advocating for the Moral Recovery Program, which is aimed at integrating ethical values into nation building and government. —KG, GMA News

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