Solons: Death of Asia's Iron Lady marks end of an era

The House of Representatives on Thursday said the passing of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who they hailed as Asia's Iron Lady and campaigner against corruption, marks the end of an era in Philippine politics.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez lamented how the country has lost one of its "most vocal and feisty defender of our nation's sovereignty and national interest, as well as one of the most feared campaigner against corruption in government."

"We would also miss not only her trademark colorful language that stung foes and chastised incompetent officials, but also for her cutting intelligence and wit that endeared her to a horde of youthful followers," said Alvarez.

Alvarez said Filipinos will be forever grateful to Santiago, who died of cancer on Thursday morning at the age of 71, for dedicating her life to the service of the nation.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate both said it would be difficult to find someone like Santiago.

"We lost a pillar in the Senate and the passing of the senator and looking at her performance on the background of how she performed during all these years, it may be difficult to find somebody that can somewhat duplicate what she has done," Suarez said.

Suarez described Santiago as a loyal and dedicated public servant, as well as a reformist and fiscalizer who never took advantage of her position.

"Hugot lines"

Zarate, meanwhile, even quoted one of Santiago's "hugot lines" to show how she would be irreplaceable. "To paraphrase one of her hugot lines, mahirap makipaglaro sa yo ng taguan, because someone like her is hard to find," he said.

"The Iron Lady is gone but she had a well-ironed place in our history as a respected jurist, executive bureaucrat, legislator, international law expert, and, of late, a master par excellence  in 'hugot lines'," Zarate added.

Zarate praised Santiago for being an ally in the campaign against pork barrel and against "onerous foreign treaties like the PHL-US Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Santiago in recent years had become popular, especially to the youth, for delivering funny and witty "hugot" or pick-up lines, that eventually led her to publish best-selling books like "Stupid is Forever" and "Stupid is Forevermore."

"Most unforgettable"

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat lauded the feisty senator for earning the respect of people, both those who love her and those who don't.

"Her passing is the end of an era. She was the most unforgettable of her generation," the lawmaker said.

"Love her or hate her, agree with her or not, her thoughts and her style of expression demanded respect," Baguilat added.

Like Zarate, the Kabataan party-list, through its Rep. Sarah Elago, hailed Santiago for "valiantly going against the tide and strongly defending the sovereignty of the Philippines in her many moves to call for the abrogation of lopsided deals with the United States."

The group said Santiago was a visionary with a firm grasp of social justice. "Sen. Miriam served as one of the beacons of hope in the Senate. The Filipino people, especially the youth, will forever be grateful for her manifold contributions to building an independent and prosperous Philippines," it added.

Miriam: Age, gender proof

Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo described Santiago as a "giant cultural icon" who will be remembered for her "meteoric personality, her acerbic wit and deep intolerance for the stupid."

"Unlike many of her contemporaries, she managed to capture the idolatry of people from all ages specially the young. Her appeal was age and gender proof," Quimbo said.

The lawmaker said he wished someone "just even a tenth of her were present in today's political circumstances." He added: "Typhoons have Yolanda. Politics has Miriam."

Former House Speaker and incumbent Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte said Philippine politics would not be the same without Santiago.

"We will miss her intelligence, wit and vast legal expertise which she has shared as university professor and earned for the country the distinction of being the first Asian elected judge to the International Criminal Court," he said.

Belmonte thanked Santiago for her dedication to the country, having served in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Santiago served as the presiding judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court from 1983 to 1987; immigration commissioner from 1988 to 1989; agriculture secretary from 1989 to 1990 and as a three-term senator since 1995, 2004 and 2010 to present. —KBK, GMA News