Miriam Defensor Santiago

Dr. Miriam Palma Defensor Santiago (15 June 1945 – 29 September 2016) was a Filipino politician and judge, who served in all three branches of the Philippine government: judicial, executive, and legislative. Some of her alma maters are University of the Philippines, University of Michigan, Oxford University, Maryhill School of Theology, University of California, Harvard University, and Cambridge University. Santiago was named one of The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in 1997 by The Australian magazine. In 1988, Santiago was named laureate of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service, with a citation "for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency." She ran in the 1992 presidential elections but was defeated in an election marred by allegations of impropriety by the victor. The quote, 'Miriam won in the elections, but lost in the counting.' became popular nationwide. Santiago became a senator of the republic in 1995 and authored more laws and bills than anyone else in the history of the Philippines. She ran again for president in the 1998 presidential elections but lost after heavy black propaganda against her which was eventually proven false. She continued her work as senator, exposing and criticizing numerous government scandals including the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, which led to massive outrage and triggered major reforms throughout the country. She became an icon of incorruptibility, honest government service, and constitutional la