Pres. Duterte visits the wake of former Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago

A color photograph (far right) of a smiling former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago – dubbed as “Iron Lady of Asia” – appears to be welcoming people from all walks of life visiting her wake at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral at Lantana St., Cubao, Quezon City on Friday (Sept. 30, 2016). At left is a wreath from President Rodrigo R. Duterte. The former senator died on Thursday after battling lung cancer for over two years. (Photo: Avito Dalan/PNA)

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte paid his final respects to former Senator Miriam Defensor- Santiago before dawn on Sunday, Oct. 2.

The President arrived at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Grottos in Cubao, Quezon City at 1 a.m.

He extended his condolences to the late senator’s spouse, Narciso “Jun” Santiago and their relatives. The President was also seen talking to some personalities.

In a statement released following the death of Senator Santiago on Thursday, President Duterte expressed his deepest sorrow in the passing of the former lady lawmaker.

“Senator Santiago has left a sterling career in public office. She is best remembered as a graft buster ‘eating death threats for breakfast,’ earning her the Iron Lady of Asia title. A constitutionalist, she has always been an advocate for the rule of law,” President Duterte said in his statement.

“Rest in peace, Madam Senator. May your legacy continue to guide this nation for many years to come,” he added.

It will be recalled that during the campaign for the May 2016 presidential elections, the public witnessed the mutual admiration between President Duterte and the former senator, especially during the presidential debate.

Santiago ran for the presidency for the third time in the May 2016 elections.

In her last pitch for the presidency, Santiago said she ran for the youth, noting that she was always number one among the youth in campus surveys.

Santiago died on Sept. 29 at the age of 71. Her remains will be interred on Oct. 2 at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.