Cover image via rappler.com
Despite her battle with lung cancer, Senator Miriam Santiago was able to file 1324 bills and resolutions, the highest amongst her colleagues in the senate
On a report by the Inquirer, Senator Miriam, despite being on medical leave continues to file bills and resolutions on a weekly basis.
"Only my body is sick, not my brain," she tells the press.
Let's look back at some of her amazing work she authored, co-authored or passed:
Image via Rappler
1. Reproductive Health Act of 2012
The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10354), informally known as the Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, is a law in the Philippines, which guarantees universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care.
It instilled reproductive health education throughout the predominantly Roman Catholic nation, and was backed by the majority of the population and lambasted by the religious institutions in the country.
2. Sin Tax Law
It gave a higher tax to tobacco and alcohol to promote health by discouraging vice. It also collects more revenue for healthcare. It improved the taxation of the country which led to the economic revolutions that bolstered Philippine shares.
Image via Inquirer
3. Climate Change Act of 2009
It is the policy of the State to afford full protection and the advancement of the right of the people to a healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
It mandated the entire nation to become a bastion for climate change responsiveness, mitigation, adaptation, and management.
4. Renewable Energy Act of 2008
It mandated the government to shift the energy source of the country from coal and oil into solar, wind, and other renewable sources – this became the foundation for the establishment of numerous wind and solar plants in the country which made the Philippines the Wind Energy Capital of Southeast Asia.
5. Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law
Otherwise known as the Philippine IHL Law. The Law strengthens the national criminal justice system for IHL and emphasizes the protection of civilians. The Law enables the Philippines to prosecute heinous acts as crimes against international law rather than simply categorizing them as common crimes under the Revised Penal Code.
It safeguarded human rights in the entire nation.
6. Magna Carta of Women
The Magna Carta of Women is comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in marginalized sector.
It protected the rights of women in the country.
7. Unifast Act
The Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education is an act which enhanced the educational system in the country, paving way for the intellectual revolution in urban and rural areas.
8. Cybercrime Act of 2012
It which protected the nation and its people from cybercrimes which infested the country's cyberspace such as cybersquatting, cybersex, child pornography, identity theft, illegal access to data and libel.
9. Department of Information and Communication Technology Act
It established the Department of Information and Communication Technology for a better information dissemination and better internet speed in the country.
Image via Phil star
10. Archipelagic Baselines Act of 2009
Baselines serve as basis for a country's maritime jurisdiction and a means to establish maritime boundaries with neighboring coastal States. It became one of the major basis for the country's claims on maritime sovereignty, including the West Philippine Sea. This was immediately protested by China.
11. Anti-dynasty bill
An enabling law that would enforce the constitutional provision banning political dynasties. No spouse, or person, elevated within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate of illegitimate, full or half blood, to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election shall be allowed to hold to run for any local or national elective office in the same election.
This is a pending bill of Senator Santiago.
12. An act institutionalizing an age-appropriate curriculum to prevent the abduction, exploitation, and sexual abuse of children
The policy of the state to equip Filipino children with the proper knowledge and instruction in order to prevent the abduction, exploitation, or sexual abuse of children and other conditions which are prejudicial to their development.
This is a pending bill of Senator Santiago.
13. Anti-'Epal' bill
Deemed to stop "insidious advertising" by plastering faces on finished public works and projects by traditional politician to take advantage of the power and funds to boost name recall and face recognition, two key factors that are important during elections.
14. Freedom of Information bill
Anyone who wants to see public records regarding government officials can.
It aims to mandate the disclosure of public documents. The proposed bill also outlines the exceptions for public disclosure and the procedures for accessing public documents.
15. Magna Carta for Philippine Internet freedom
The bill contains provisions promoting civil and political rights and Constitutional guarantees for Philippine internet users, such as freedom of expression, as well as provisions on information and communications technology policy, internet governance, cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, cyberterrorism, and cybercrime.
Thank you, Senator Miriam for your service and love for the Philippines and the Filipino people. You are a great loss.
Image via Rappler
