Duterte confers highest civilian service award on Miriam Santiago

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday posthumously awarded the Quezon Service Cross to the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, making her the sixth and only female recipient of the country’s highest recognition for civilian service.

The award was received by Santiago’s widower, Narciso Santiago, in a simple ceremony held in Malacañang with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reading the congressional concurrent resolution approving the conferment of the award on the senator.

Pres. Duterte with the family of the late Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago as the former senator is being posthumously awarded the Quezon Service Award @gmanews pic.twitter.com/vHREr1Ewn7

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) December 3, 2018

In his acceptance speech, Narciso Santiago thanked Duterte and lawmakers for pushing for the award.

He also expressed his regret for the “early passing” of his wife because “she could have done much more for the Filipino people and the country.”

Duterte, meanwhile, hailed Santiago’s “stellar” government career, her contributions to the crafting of policies that “touched the lives of ordinary Filipinos” and  her numerous achievements.

“Throughout her life, Senator Santiago profoundly stirred our nation, especially the youth, to challenge preconceived notions on political and social issues,” he said.

Duterte added that he hopes Santiago will serve as an inspiration to a generation of Filipinos who will use their talents for the benefit of the country.

“Let us all do our part, however small, in helping bring about positive change in the country. May Senator Santiago's shining example be the legacy that we will leave behind to future generations of Filipinos,” the President said.

“Let her memory serve as the light that will guide us towards a more progressive, inclusive and equitable society.”

In compliance with the award’s requirements, Duterte endorsed Santiago’s name to Congress for its approval late last year.

The Senate approved the nomination on December 11, 2017 while the House of Representatives gave its concurrence on February 20, 2018.

Before Santiago, only five people were given the award since its creation in 1946 in memory of the late President Manuel Quezon.

The Quezon Service Cross were awarded posthumously to Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo (November 2012), former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. (August 2004), and President Ramon Magsaysay (July 1957).

Receiving the award during their lifetime were former President Emilio Aguinaldo (June 1956) and former United Nations General Assembly President Carlos Romulo (April 1951).

Known for her intellectual brilliance, feisty personality and use of humor that endeared her to young Filipinos, Santiago was a trial court judge, immigration commissioner, agrarian reform secretary and a senator for three terms.

She ran for president three times but lost to Fidel Ramos in 1992, Joseph Estrada in 1998 and Duterte in 2016.

She was elected judge of the International Criminal Court in 2011 but decided to give up the post in 2014 due to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Santiago initially could not sit in the ICC because she had to wait for a sitting judge to finish all of his or her pending cases.

The former senator’s 46-year career in government earned her several accolades, which included the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia's version of the Nobel Prize, in 1988; the Philippine Judges Association Hall of Fame in 2015; The Outstanding Women in Nation's Service Award for Law in 1986; and Outstanding Young Men Award for Law in 1985, among others.

Santiago died on September 29, 2016 following a two-year battle with lung cancer.  — BM, GMA News