FVR pays tribute to longtime political foe Miriam

Former president Fidel V. Ramos on Thursday issued a statement extending his condolences to the family of the late Miriam Defensor Santiago, paying tribute to his longtime political foe.

"We and our children / grandchildren convey our sincere condolences on the demise of your beloved 'MIRIAM,'" read the letter signed by Ramos and his wife Amelita. 

"May you receive consolation from the fact that she not only lived a full and meaningful life, but also did her substantial share in the service of God, country, and people.

"It can be said that she was a true solider who fought fiercely for what she strongly believed in — and died with her boots on still standing tall.

"We hope that your sorrows will be assuaged by the thought that her soul now rest in the loving hands of the Almighty, our Lord and Savior, who will shower upon you His blessings and provide comfort during your days of bereavement.

"We join you in prayers for the eternal repose of her soul," the letter concluded.

Ramos narrowly defeated Santiago in the 1992 presidential elections. Santiago alleged electoral fraud against Ramos, the handpicked choice of then incumbent president Corazon Aquino.

Since then, Santiago had been an ardent critic of Ramos. Things came into a head in 2006, when the two faced off at a Senate probe chaired by Santiago investigating Ramos' alleged involvement in anomalous deals during his administration. —Aya Tantiangco/JST, GMA News