QC welcomes renaming roads after Miriam Defensor Santiago

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 20) — The government of Quezon City has welcomed the Senate's approval of a measure to rename two roads after Miriam Defensor Santiago.

House Bill 7413 sought to rename Agham Road and BIR Road after the late lawmaker.

The House of Representatives first approved the bill in March, while the Senate passed the bill on third and final reading earlier this week with no negative votes and zero abstentions.

"Buong puso po nating sinusuportahan ang hakbang na ito ng Senado na ipangalan kay dating Senador Miriam Defensor-Santiago ang dalawang kalsada ng ating lungsod," Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement Sunday, adding it was a honor for the city streets to carry Santiago's name.

[Translation. We wholeheartedly support the Senate's measure to name two of the city's streets after former Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

Santiago died on Sept. 29, 2016 from complications of lung cancer. She was known for her legal expertise, wit, and feisty demeanor.

She held various positions in government, most notably as a multi-term senator. She was also a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service.

She made history in 2012 when she took her seat as a judge of the International Criminal Court — becoming the first Southeast Asian in the ICC.