President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to visit and pay respects to Miriam on October 1.
President Rodrigo Duterte will pay his last respects to the late Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Saturday, October 1.
This was confirmed by Duterte’s chief legal counsel, Atty. Salvador Panelo on Friday.
Duterte came back to the Philippines on Friday, after a two-day official visit to Vietnam. He immediately flew to Davao City where he met with female members of the Philippine National Police.
According to Panelo, Duterte will visit Santiago’s wake at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City either before or after lunch.
To recall, Santiago was among Duterte’s rivals in the May 2016 presidential race where they also faced on several presidential debates facilitated by the Commission on Elections and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
During May 9 Elections, Miriam placed fifth. It was her third try for the presidency.
Duterte and Santiago were seen having a friendly relationship where the President refused to ask questions on Miriam in some part of the presidential debate.
Asked about her health, he said: “I do not see Senator Santiago passing away within the next 20 years. So what’s the problem?”
Santiago, for her part, also praised Duterte’s achievements in battling corruption, her advocacy.
At the series of debates, even some were not attended by the lady Senator, Duterte and Santiago exchanged praises instead of barbs, which earned admiration from viewers, particularly on social media.
Upon knowing the sad news, Duterte said that the Philippines lost a great leader and he will miss the female senator.
Duterte said Santiago “had always been an advocate for the rule of law.”
“Rest in peace, Madam Senator. May your legacy continue to guide this nation for many years to come,” he said.
Santiago eventually ran with former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who had also talked to Duterte about a possible tandem. Before Duterte joined the presidential race, Santiago said he would be her first pick as vice presidential candidate.
