Statement of Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III
on the passing of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Today, the Filipino nation lost a moral giant in the fight against corruption, and an intellectual force and brilliant legal mind in Philippine politics.

As a nation, we are poorer today by former Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago's passing. In this difficult time, we mourn with her family and share our fervent prayers as we commend her soul to the Lord Almighty.

I remember her in Constitutional Law where I first encountered that wit and fiery rhetoric in the classroom. I worked with her in the Senate, where she lighted up its august halls with her crackling and slashing wit that won her a legion of followers and admirers.

While she did not always win her political battles, she always stood on the side of what was moral, what was legal, what was constitutional, and ultimately what was good for the Filipino people.

She was the best president our nation never had.

Her example will inspire not only many more patriotic Filipino women to go into public service, but countless more of our young who have looked up to her as our moral compass.

Rest in peace, our dear senator.