Malacanang on Thursday expressed its sincere condolences on the passing of former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who succumbed to cancer at 71.
"Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago passed away this morning. She died peacefully in her residence at La Vista. She was a shining light in Philippine political annals for her sharp legal mind, uncompromising stand and uncompromising humor," Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
"She had a profound influence among millenials and the youth, constantly challenging preconceived notions, both political and social. Her passing also signify an era of politicians with wide-ranging intelligence and the courage to express true convictions," he added.
Known as the "Iron Lady of Asia," Santiago served in all three branches of government and became Senator of the republic in 1995. She ran for the second time as president, but lost to President Rodrigo Duterte.
In 2012, she became the first Filipina and the first Asian from a developing country to be elected a judge of the International Criminal Court and became part of the International Advisory Council of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) in 2016, an intergovernmental body that promotes the rule of law.