PROFILE

Youth

Dr. Miriam Defensor Santiago is a charismatic Philippine icon, idolized by all young people throughout the country for her intellectual brilliance, fiery eloquence, and moral courage. Millions of Filipinos believe that she won as president but was cheated in 1992, when she ran as a wildly popular independent candidate. She has triumphed against attempts on her life, political persecution, electoral fraud, and black propaganda, to become a role model for her millions of fans.

Dr. Santiago brought honor to the Philippines, when she was named recipient of the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, known as the Magsaysay Award, for government service. She was cited “for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency,” referring to her courageous work as immigration commissioner. Her spectacular crusade against corruption and criminality catapulted her to the status of cult figure among the Filipino youth.

Dr. Santiago was named one of “The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World” in 1996, by The Australian magazine on its website. She is listed in the United Nations roster of eminent and highly qualified experts in international law.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Dr. Santiago has a record of academic excellence. She earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, and Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines (U.P.); Master of Laws, and Doctor of the Science of Law, from the University of Michigan, where she was a Barbour Scholar and Dewitt Fellow. She is a candidate for the degree, Master of Arts in Religious Studies, at the Maryhill School of Theology.

She has done postdoctoral studies in over a dozen countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States. She has studied at, among others, Oxford University, Cambridge University, Harvard University, University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, and the Academy of Public International Law at The Hague, Netherlands. She holds honorary doctorates from Philippine universities.

Dr. Santiago was class valedictorian and campus editor at all levels – elementary, high school, and college. She won as champion of a high school spelling contest, when she was only a freshman student. Despite a three-month bout with illness, she finished her bachelor’s degree at U.P. after only three and a half instead of four years, with a near-perfect average grade in the last semester of 1.1. She finished her law doctorate after only six months, with an average grade of “A.” She finished the academic requirements for her master’s degree in theology, with an average grade of 1.25.

She made history in U.P. when she became the first female editor-in-chief of the venerable student newspaper The Philippine Collegian, thus shattering a 50-year-old record of male dominance. She was also the first female to win the Best Debater Award in law school. She held a campus beauty title twice, as U.P ROTC corps sponsor. She was twice recipient of the Vinzons Achievement Award for excellence in leadership, and the Rotary Award for most outstanding graduate. She won first place in oratorical and literary contests.

PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Dr. Santiago’s record of academic excellence is matched by her record of professional excellence. Media have called her the most awarded Filipino public official today.

At a relatively young age, she has held ranking positions in all three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. She has been presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court at Quezon City; immigration commissioner; and a cabinet member, as agrarian reform secretary. She has also been legal officer of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland; and a consultant of the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. She was elected senator in 1995, and in 2004.

She was a U.P. law professor, and many of her former students are now high-ranking public officials. She is considered the leading expert of her generation in constitutional law and in international law. She has authored some 30 books, including the best-selling college textbook, Politics and Governance; and the textbook International Relations. Her 4-volume series on Philosophy was recently released. She has also been a popular newspaper columnist.

In addition to the Magsaysay Award, Dr. Santiago has been honored with over a hundred prestigious awards for excellence in public service. Her awards include: TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) of the Jaycees; TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service) of the Lions; Gold Vision Triangle Award of the YMCA; Golden Jubilee Achievement Award of the Girl Scouts; and Republic Anniversary Award of the Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines.

U.P. gave her the Outstanding Law Alumna Award, and the Portia Diamond Award. She also received the Public Service Award from the Metro Manila bishops, as well as the Woman of the Year Award from the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines. She was recipient of the Public Servant of the Year Award from the Council of Evangelical Churches of the Philippines.

MIRIAM MAGIC

For her moral courage in fighting the culture of corruption and in defending the rule of law, she has been acclaimed not only by the local, but also by the foreign press worldwide. When she was a college student, one magazine already dubbed her “super girl at the state university.” Her face has graced dozens of magazine covers, including Newsweek. She has been called the incorruptible lady, the platinum lady, the tiger lady, the dragon lady, the iron lady of Asia, the queen of popularity polls, and the undisputed campus heroine. But to her millions of fans, she is best known for the unique brand of charismatic leadership that media likes to call “Miriam magic.”

Behind the public persona lies a combination of hard work and calculated aggression. Hers might be a lonely voice insisting on the politics of conviction. But her millions of fans continue to expect that someday soon, people like her will at last triumph over the politics of money, and the politics of opportunism. Whatever the result might be in the future, in our country today, there is only one person associated in the public mind with a combination of the rare virtues of academic excellence, moral passion, and burning integrity – Dr. Miriam Defensor Santiago.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

U.S. law doctorate graduate with record of outstanding and exemplary success in political leadership and administrative management in the Philippines and Asia. Creative problem solver in the national bureaucracy with ability to drive revenue growth, resolve conflict, improve morale, and consistently exceed policy goals. As a prominent lawyer, excelled in all three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. An academic for some 10 years.

Political Leadership – Named by Australian magazine website one of “The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World” in 1996. Ranked very close No. 2 in controversial 1992 Philippine presidential elections. Elected senator in 1995 for 6-year term; chaired Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of laws. Elected senator in 2004; chair of foreign relations committee; energy committee; joint congressional power commission; and legislative oversight on Visiting Forces Agreement. Member, Commission on Appointments.

Administrative Management – Laureate of the Magsaysay Award for Government Service, aka Asian Nobel Prize, “for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency.” As immigration commissioner, successfully fought corruption in spectacular crusade reported by international media. Hands-on government manager with solid success in planning and executing administrative reform. As trial judge, won various awards for integrity and efficiency.

Political Marketing – Proven ability as agrarian reform secretary (cabinet member) to recognize and capitalize on agrarian reform as market trend, and assume bottom-line responsibility for strategic planning. Broad knowledge of marketing disciplines in persuading Filipino landlords to accept agrarian reform, including research, promotional planning, event planning, and advertising.

Team Building – Decisive team leader with extensive experience recruiting and hiring administrative staff, mostly fresh graduates, for professional work in the executive, legislative, and judiciary; developing talent; and creating effective training programs, notably Senate summer internship.

Academic Reputation – Listed in the 2000 United Nations roster of eminent and highly qualified experts in international law. Author of some 30 books, mostly on law. Taught part-time international law, constitutional law, and remedial law for some 10 years at the University of the Philippines.

Communication – Highly persuasive communicator, particularly on TV, with remarkable presentation and persuasive skills. Adjudged by Metro Manila media as winner of 1992 televised presidential debates. Well able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, public, and staff at all levels. Wrote popular opinion column in leading newspaper and later in Sunday magazine.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Senator, Republic of the Philippines 2004 - 2010

• Chair, Committee on Foreign Relations
  
• Chair, Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement
  
• Chair, Committee on Energy
  
• Chair, Joint Congressional Power Commission
  
• Vice-Chair, Committee on Finance
  
• Member, Commission on Appointments

Senior Partner, Defensor Santiago Law Firm 1992 – Present

President and founder, People’s Reform Party 1991 – Present

Chair and founder, Movement for Responsible Public Service 1990 – Present

Senator, Republic of the Philippines 1995-2001

• Chair, Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of laws
  
• Member, Commission on Appointments
  
• Member, Senate Electoral Tribunal

Opinion Columnist, “Gadfly,” Today newspaper 1994

Presidential candidate (Ranked close No. 2 in controversial canvassing) 1992

Secretary of Agrarian Reform 1989

• Chair, Presidential Agrarian Reform Council Executive Committee
  

Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation 1988 – 1989

Member, Board of Directors:

• Public Estates Authority 1988 – 1989
  
• Philippine Retirement Authority 1988 – 1989
  
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport Authority 1988 – 1989
  
• Land Bank of the Philippines 1989
  

Opinion Columnist, “Overview,” Philippine Panorama Sunday magazine 1985 – 1988, 1976 – 1978

Professorial Lecturer, College of Law, University of the Philippines 1976 – 1988

Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, Branch 106, Quezon City 1983 – 1987

Legal Consultant, University of the Philippines Law Center 1981 – 1983

Legal Consultant, Philippine Embassy, Washington, D.C. 1982

Legal Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland 1979 – 1980

Special Assistant to the Secretary of Justice 1970 – 1980

Member, Board of Censors for Motion Pictures 1977 – 1979

Opinion Columnist, Philippines Daily Express newspaper 1972 – 1975

Professor of Political Science, Trinity College of Quezon City 1971 – 1974

EDUCATION:

Doctor of the Science of Law (Barbour Scholar and DeWitt Fellow), University of Michigan. Requirements (except publication), fulfilled in six months, with “A” average. 1976

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Centro Escolar University 1989

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro 1989

Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, University of San Agustin 1989

Master of Laws (DeWitt Fellow), University of Michigan, with “A” average 1975

Master of Arts in Religious Studies (cand.), Maryhill School of Theology, Quezon City 1996

Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, University of the Philippines 1969

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, University of the Philippines. Finished in 3 -1/2 instead of 4 years, with an average grade in the last semester of 1.1. 1965

Valedictorian, Iloilo Provincial National High School. Awardee, All-Around Girl Medallion. 1961

Valedictorian, La Paz Elementary School 1957


POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

Visiting Law Fellow, St. Hilda’s College, Oxford University 2000

Visiting Fellow, Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law, Cambridge University 1999

Paris-Geneva Summer Program in International Law, sponsored by American University 1998

Summer Program in Law at Oxford University, sponsored by Florida State University 1997

Summer Program of Instruction for Lawyers, Harvard University 1996

Graduate, California Judicial College, University of California at Berkeley. In the practical courtroom test, American judges gave her the highest grade of 33 out of 35. 1985

Fellow, Seminar on judicial writing and caseflow management in the trial courts, Institute of Judicial Administration, Quezon City.

Topnotcher of examination in judicial writing 1984

Fellow, UN/UNITAR Programme in International Law, The Hague, Holland and Brussels, Belgium 1978

Fellow, External Session of The Hague Academy of International Law, Tokyo, Japan 1978

Fellow, Academy of American and International Law, Southwestern

Legal Foundation, Dallas, Texas 1972


PAPERS AND CONFERENCES:

Papers Delivered:

“A Democratic State and Governance in the 21st Century: A View from East Asia,” II Global Forum on Reinventing Government, Brasilia, Brazil 29 May 2000

“Guidelines for Reporting by Governments on the Implementation of the Global Program of Action, on the Progress Achieved in Meeting the Goals and Targets for the Years 2003 and 2008,” 42nd Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Vienna, Austria 17 March 1999

“Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,” 53rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, USA 12 Nov. 1998

“Philippine Intellectual Property Laws, A Review in Light of the GATT,” Conference on International Economic Transactions, Sponsored by the Indonesian Bar Association, Jakarta, Indonesia 24 April 1996

“Women Business Lawyers: Meeting the New Political and Economic Challenges in Asia,” Conference of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (Women Business Lawyers’ Group), Singapore 4 Dec. 1995

“The ‘Gap’ in the International Protection of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Victims of Conflicts,” International Congress on Respect for International Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy 7 Sept. 1995

“Toward Radical Humanism in a Meta-Technological Society,” Global Convention on the Restoration of Morality and Humanity, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea 5 Sept. 1995

“Asian Perspective: The Promotion of International Refugee Law as a Factor in Conflict Prevention,” 19th Roundtable on Current Problems of International Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy 31 Aug. 1994

“What Does the Law Say?” Symposium on Equipping Southeast Asian Women Managers for the 90’s, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 6 March 1991

“Corruption Prevention Strategies in Developing Countries,” Keynote Speaker, Fourth International Anticorruption Conference, Sydney, Australia 13 Nov. 1989

Papers Published:

1. "The Status of IRRI as an International Organization in National and International Law," 79 Philippine Law Journal 887 Feb. 2005
   
2. "Some Issues of Immigration Law in a Developing State,"10 Michigan Journal of International Law 251 1989
   
3. "CID: The Philippine Experiment in Fighting Graft,"1 Career Executive Journal 1989
   
4. "Family Reunification for Refugees: The Philippine Context, 2 Lawyer's Review
   
5. "Arrest and Search: Guidelines for Policemen," 6 Criminal Justice Journal 32 1986
   
6. "The Supreme Court Applies 'Clear and Present Danger:' But Which One?" 60 Philippine Law Journal 57 1985
   
7. "Criminal Procedure in the Juvenile Justice System," 4 Criminal Justice Journal, 31 1984
   
8. "The 'New' Equal Protection," 58 Philippine Law Journal 1 1983
   
9. "Identifying the Political Offender," 56 Philippine Law Journal 395 1981
   
10. "Promotion, Dissemination, and Teaching of International Refugee Law: Towards a New International Social Order," 55 Philippine Law Journal 139 (co-author) 1980
    
11. "Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts," 54 Philippine Law Journal 188 1979
    
12. "Procedural Aspects of the Political Offence Doctrine," 51 Philippine Law Journal 238 1976
    
13. "The Archipelago Concept in the Law of the Sea," 49 Philippine Law Journal 315 1974
    

Conferences and Programs:

Head of Delegation, 13th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Ha Long City, S.R. Viet Nam 2005

Delegate, Third Session of the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rule of Law, Wellington, New Zealand 2004

Fellow, Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, 2002, People’s Republic of China

Keynote Speaker, Island Conference on Public Administration, University of Guam 1992

Fellow, Williamsburg Conference, Chiangmai, Thailand 1990

Fellow, International Visitor Program, Washington, DC and Los Angeles 1989

Fellow, Special Visits Program, Sydney and Canberra, Australia 1988

Chairperson, 13th Roundtable on Current Problems of International

Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy 1988

Philippine Delegate, Interpol General Assembly Session, Nice, France 1987

Secretary-General, ASEAN Women Judges Conference, Manila 1987

Fellow, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 1985

Philippine Delegate, First International Seminar-Workshop on Managing Delay in the Courts, Manila 1983

Chairperson, Second Philippine Goodwill Mission to the Republic of China 1968

Philippine Delegate, First Southeast Asian and Australasian Law Students’ Seminar, Singapore 1967


BOOKS:
(Mainly consisting of her College Textbook Series, 1999-2003)

Law
Civil Code Annotated
Constitution Annotated
Corporation Code Annotated
Election Code Annotated
Insurance Code Annotated
Local Government Code Annotated
National Internal Revenue Code Annotated
Penal Code Annotated
Rules of Court Annotated 2d. ed.
Tariff and Customs Code Annotated
Constitutional Law, Volume 1 – Political Structure
Constitutional Law, Volume 2 – Bill of Rights
The 1973 Constitution
International Law, With Philippine Cases and Materials and ASEAN Instruments
International Law (co-author)

Philosophy
History of Philosophy, The Great Philosophers
Political Philosophy, Theory and Issues in Politics
Philosophy of Religion, Western and Eastern Religions
Moral Philosophy, Theory and Issues in Ethics (in progress)

Politics
International Relations 2d. ed.
Politics and Governance
Christianity vs. Corruption
At the Turn of the Century: National Policy Issues in the Philippines
Cutting Edge: The Politics of Reform in the Philippines
Where Angels Fear to Tread: Politics and Religion
How to Fight Election Fraud
How to Fight Graft
Literature
Inventing Myself: an Autobiography
A Frabjous Day and Other Stories
The Miriam Dictionary


PROFESSIONAL AWARDS:

A. International and National
“The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World,” The Australian magazine, 1996
http://wisdom.psinet.au/~kabu/100mpw.html

Magsaysay Award for government service, 1988. Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, Magsaysay Awards Foundation.

TOYM Award for Law, 1985 (The Outstanding Young Men). Opened to Women 1984, Philippine Jaycees

TOWNS Award for Law, 1986 (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service)
Philippine Lions

Gold Vision Triangle Award for government service, 1988, YMCA Philippines  

Republic Anniversary Award for law enforcement, 1988, Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines 

Golden Jubilee Achievement Award for public service, 1990, Girl Scouts of the Philippines

Celebrity Mother Award, 1991, Gintong Ina Awards Foundation

B. Universities
Diamond Award for excellence in the legal profession, 1993, University of the Philippines Portia Sorority
Professional Award in law, 1988, University of the Philippines Alumni Association Award of Honor, 1990, 1991, and 1993
U.P. Women Lawyers’ Circle
Most Outstanding Alumna Award, 1997, University of the Philippines Visayas
Outstanding Alumna Award, 1995, Iloilo National High School Alumni Association, Inc. Most Outstanding Alumna Award, 1991, La Paz Elementary School, Iloilo City
Award of Achievement, 1988, Centro Escolar University Graduate School Alumni Association
People’s Service Award, 1990, University of the East College of Law Student Government
Award of Commendation, 1990, University of Manila
Achievement Award, 1989, Angeles University Foundation
Brown Visiting Fellow Award, 1988,  Trinity College of Quezon City
Outstanding Achievement Award, 1990, Martinez Memorial Colleges
Award of Outstanding Recognition, 1988, Iloilo National High School

C. Churches
Award Of Excellence In Public Service, 1988, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches
Award of Recognition for public service, 1988, Roman Catholic Archbishops and Bishops of Manila
Woman of the Year Award, 1988,  Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines
Woman of Destiny Award, 1991, Philippine Independent Church Zambales Diocesan Council

D. Government Agencies
Centennial Award for politics and legislation, 1998, National Centennial Commission
Award of Distinction, 1999, Presidential Agrarian Reform Council
Distinguished Achievement Award, 1986, National Police Commission
Leadership Award, 1988, Philippine Ports Authority
Award of Recognition for Best Agency Productivity, 1988, Government Productivity Improvement Program Council
Outstanding Ilonggo Award for good government, 1989, Iloilo provincial government

E. Civic Groups
Woman of Distinction Award, 1988, Soroptimist International of Greater Manila
Integrity of Profession Award, 1988, Soroptimist International of Quezon City
Award of Distinction, 1988, Zonta International of Baguio City
Outstanding Public Servant Award, 1989, Rotary International District 378 in Quezon City
Special Award for Outstanding Achievement, 1990, Joint Rotary Clubs in Pasay City
Award of Recognition, 1988, Joint Rotary Clubs in Tarlac Province
Outstanding Achievement Award, 1994, Rotary Club of Cabanatuan City
Award of Distinction, 1989, Rotary Club of Roxas City
Award of Honor, 1988, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines
Outstanding Young Woman of Iloilo Award for law, 1984, Ilang-Ilang Jaycees and Iloilo provincial government
Golden Cross Achievement Award, 1990, 10th Battalion Combat Team Peftok Veterans
Award of Distinction, 1988, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Iloilo Chapter
Distinguished Public Service Award, 1988, Barangay U.P. Village Senior Citizens Organization


F. Foreign Groups
Award for International Cooperation, 1989, U.S. Customs Service
Achievement Award, 1991, Iloilo Association of Guam
Medal of Honor and Woman of the Year Award, 1989, Foundation of Phil-American Medical Society of New Jersey, Inc

G. Media
News Personality of the Year Award, 1988, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
Top Ten Newsmakers Award, 1996, Bulong Pulungan sa Westin Philippine Plaza
Award of Recognition, 1988, Community Publishers-Editors Association of the Philippines
Award of Recognition, 1988, Rizal Metro Manila Tri-Media Association, Inc.
Woman of the Year Award, 2000, Sun-Star Iloilo
Public Service Award, 1991, Pambansang Unyon ng Mamamahayag sa Medya