(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday (September 29) expressed his mourning on the death of former Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
“Senator Santiago has left a sterling career in public office. She is best remembered as a graftbuster ‘eating death threats for breakfast,’ earning her the Iron Lady of Asia. A constitutionalist, she has always been an advocate for the rule of law” Duterte said in a statement in Vietnam.
“We express our deepest sorrow over the passing of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago….Rest in peace, Madam Senator. May your legacy continue to guide this nation for many years to come,” he added.
During a presidential debate, Santiago and Duterte were seen acting as friends, despite of being rivals for the presidency. Duterte then praised Santiago instead of asking her intimidating questions.
“Ma’am Miriam, what can I ask of you? I am facing a woman who would become the President of the Republic of the Philippines,” Duterte said.
Santiago died on Thursday morning, two years after she revealed she had stage 4 lung cancer.
