iriam Defensor Santiago is politician, professor, and public servant who is most notable for being the very first Filipino to win a seat as a judge at the International Criminal Court. In her more than twenty years of political career, Miriam has proven herself to be an honest, efficient, and excellent public servant, which is why the Filipino people love her. A stalwart of justice and truth, Miri
am has always fought to ensure that these two virtues prevail in the Philippine political arena in every session she is in; from the time she started working in the public sector, Miriam has exhibited the traits of a true Filipino politician. Throughout her entire career in both the private and public sectors, Miriam has encountered numerous enemies who attempt to bring her down because of her integrity. There have been libelous statements made against her, and even threats on her life, but these things have never kept Miriam from continuously serving her fellow Filipinos. Her boldness and courage to stand up for what she believes is right has become an example not only for her fellow senators, but also for every Filipino that wants to see his or her country prosper. Her flamboyant personality has allowed her to make comments on issues that other politicians would otherwise leave unnoticed, fearing the power of those who are corrupt. Throughout her time in the Philippine Senate, Miriam has become well-known for voicing out her concerns for the things that she sees are not right and lawful. In many hearings and proceedings, Miriam has always opened up issues that other senators could not; her strong demeanor has allowed her to bring forth answers that have been significant in the results of the hearings. If we were to compare Miriam to a lot of us, she would have fought more battles than any other person in her profession. She has faced tremendous opposition in her political career, gone through very difficult and challenging storms in her personal life, and has suffered losses that everyone would never even dream of having. And yet, what makes her truly extraordinary is that in spite of all of these things, in spite of all the seemingly overwhelming challenges that she has gone through, Miriam still stands firm in her resolve and continues to serve her people. Her remarkable perseverance and fortitude is what allowed her to rise up in the midst of the storm and say, “I can still fight.”
Miriam’s personal confidence and security is very remarkable in that she does not allow her failures, mistakes or negative circumstances to let her think lowly of herself. Miriam does not let whatever happens in her life to affect her competency. Work is work, and life is life. In an interview regarding her nomination to become an International Criminal Court judge, Miriam says:
“If I get to be elected judge of the International Criminal Court, I will be happy for my country. If I don’t get elected, I don’t desire it so much that it will affect me. It is a political process. It has no reflection on my competence. The Dalai Lama has taught me that the best way to live life is to try and avoid desire. Desire is really the basic source of unhappiness.”
Miriam takes her job very seriously, and has a high value for respecting the government system. This is why she has not had any major issues regarding bribery and corruption. She always encourages people to respect the system of governance in the country, no matter how corrupt it may appear, because it is this system that keeps the country from falling apart. She often says:
“I think it is very risky that they seem to lose respect for authority especially when they hold no one sacred. Respect is very high on the priorities of good governance. If you don’t respect the system, if you are sneering at the system or are always skeptical of the system, chances are you will consider yourself an outsider. And that is a great danger.”
Because of her courage and fortitude to stand for truth and justice, as well as her remarkable intellect, Miriam has become a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career. Miriam is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Good Governance, which is hailed as Asia’s Nobel Prize. Aside from this, Miriam has also been included in several international lists, the most notable is the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by the Australian Women’s Magazine. Currently, Miriam is one of the most significant and inspirational political figures in the Philippines not only because of her outspoken and bold demeanor and personality but also because of her constant support of integrity and honesty in the government. In fact, a lot of those she has worked with have said that the Senate would not be lively without Miriam in it, because she is the one that “brings” all the action to the seemingly scripted arena. Throughout her life and career in both the private and public sectors, Miriam has epitomized the ideal Filipino because of her constant desire to become successful in life. She serves as a great inspiration to many (not just Filipinos) people around the world for her remarkable perseverance, boldness, and stand for truth and justice. Her life story teaches us that we can face any challenge, no matter how big it may be, if we truly believe in what we are fighting for. Awards
“Order of Civil Merit,” Kingdom of Spain, 2008
“The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World,” The Australian magazine, 1996
Magsaysay Award for Government Service, Magsaysay Awards Foundation, 1988. TOYM Award for Law,(The Outstanding Young Men), 1985, Junior Chamber International-Philippines
TOWNS Award for Law (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service), Philippine Lions, 1986
Gold Vision Triangle Award for government service, YMCA Philippines, 1988
Republic Anniversary Award for law enforcement, Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines, 1988
Celebrity Mother Award, Gintong Ina Awards Foundation, 1991
Golden Jubilee Achievement Award for public service, Girl Scouts of the Philippines 1990
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Centro Escolar University, 1989
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Xavier University, 1989
Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, University of San Agustin, 1989
Churches: Award Of Excellence In Public Service, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, 1988
Award of Recognition for public service, Roman Catholic Archbishops and Bishops of Manila, 1988
Woman of the Year Award, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, 1988
Woman of Destiny Award, Philippine Independent Church Zambales Diocesan Council 1991
Government Agencies: Centennial Award for politics and legislation, National Centennial Commission, 1998
Award of Distinction, Presidential Agrarian Reform Council, 1999
Distinguished Achievement Award, National Police Commission, 1986
Leadership Award, Philippine Ports Authority, 1988
Award of Recognition for Best Agency Productivity,
Government Productivity Improvement Program Council, 1988
Outstanding Ilonggo Award for good government, Iloilo provincial government, 1989
Civic Groups: Woman of Distinction Award, Soroptimist International of Greater Manila 1988
Integrity of Profession Award, Soroptimist International of Quezon City, 1988
Award of Distinction, Zonta International of Baguio City, 1988
Outstanding Public Servant Award, Rotary International District 378 in Quezon City, 1989
Special Award for Outstanding Achievement, Joint Rotary Clubs in Pasay City, 1990
Award of Recognition, Joint Rotary Clubs in Tarlac Province, 1988
Outstanding Achievement Award, Rotary Club of Cabanatuan City, 1994
Award of Distinction, Rotary Club of Roxas City, 1989
Award of Honor, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines, 1988
Outstanding Young Woman of Iloilo Award for law, Ilang-Ilang Jaycees and Iloilo provincial government, 1984
Golden Cross Achievement Award, 10th Battalion Combat Team Peftok Veterans, 1990
Award of Distinction, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Iloilo Chapter, 1988
Distinguished Public Service Award, Barangay U.P. Village Senior Citizens Organization, 1988
Foreign Groups: Award for International Cooperation, U.S. Customs Service, 1989
Achievement Award, Iloilo Association of Guam, 1991
Medal of Honor and Woman of the Year Award, Foundation of Phil-American Medical Society of New Jersey, Inc., 1989
Media: Ten Womanity Award for Public Service, Female Network, 2011
Top 20 Most Influential Filipinas, google.com, 2010
News Personality of the Year Award, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, 1988
Top Ten Newsmakers Award, Bulong Pulungan sa Westin Philippine Plaza, 1996
Award of Recognition, Community Publishers-Editors Association of the Philippines, 1988
Award of Recognition, Rizal Metro Manila Tri-Media Association, Inc., 1988
Woman of the Year Award, Sun-Star Iloilo, 2000
Public Service Award, Pambansang Unyon ng Mamamahayag sa Medya, 1991
