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Former PH Senator Miriam Defensor - Santiago
dubbed as Iron Lady of Asia File Photo\Gamiaw|Ram Lopez
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MANILA, Philippines - Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who ran for Presidency in the May 9 elections despite battling Stage 4 lung cancer, died Thursday morning today, September 29, 2016 past 8:00 A.M. while confined at St. Lukes Medical Center in Taguig City.
Her husband Narciso "Jun" Santiago confirmed Santiago had died in her sleep and is set to issue a statement within the day.
"She died peacefully in her sleep this morning," Santiago said.
Her official Twitter account posted a message midmorning that former Sen. Santiago died at 8:52 a.m.
Her remains will be brought to Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao.
Earlier this month, she was brought to St. Luke's for cancer treatment. She stayed there until her death Thursday, Atty. Santiago confirmed.
It was in 2014 when the former lawmaker said that she had stage 4 lung cancer.
Born in Iloilo City on June 15, 1945, the former senator ran for president in the May 2016 elections but lost to Rodrigo Duterte. She also sought the presidency in 1992 (won by Fidel Ramos) and 1998 (won by Joseph Estrada).
Santiago has been dubbed as the "Iron Lady of Asia" for her no-nonsense drive against graft and corruption when she served all the three branches of the government—Judicial, Executive, and Legislative.
"In a nation where many public officials are charged with, or suspected, of plunder, her honesty shines like a light in the darkness," her Senate biography read.
Santiago, whose fiery, colorful language - especially against corruption - had endeared her to millions of young voters despite her age (71), had the distinction of serving in three branches of government: a judge during the martial law years, she was appointed to Executive positions after the EDSA revolt, and then began her career as Senator in 1995.
Santiago ran for the presidency in May, but lost. It was her third time to run for the highest post in the land.
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She had been a senator from 1995 to 2001, and 2004 to 2016.Â
In 2011, she became the first Filipino to become a judge at the International Criminal Court, but she never took the post, as she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Santiago first made waves as an Immigration chief under then President Corazon Aquino.
Santiago was born in 1945 in Iloilo City. She obtained her law degree from the University of the Philippines, and earned her Master of Laws degree and Doctor of Juridical Science from the University of Michigan Law School.
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© Provided and source through InterAksyon and GMA News
With Tricia Aquino and Ernie Reyes
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