HUNDREDS of supporters of the late former senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago joined her family in laying her to her final rest in Marikina Memorial Park on Sunday, October 2.
The late senator was buried beside her son Alexander Robert past 4 p.m.
Seen in Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina were Santiago's family, her colleagues and closest friends, including Senator Francis Escudero and his wife actress, Heart Evangelista, former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his mother Imelda.
Santiago's remains were brought to Marikina around 2 p.m. from the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao in Quezon City, where the funeral mass was held.
The mass was officiated by Bishop Emeritus Ted Bacani and Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.
During the funeral service, Bishop Bacani called the senator a "Princess in the hearts of the Filipino people."
"Ang ibig sabihin ng 'Miriam' ay princess. Prinsesa, hindi siya prinsesa ng geographic location, prinsesa siya ng mga puso ng mga Pilipino," Bacani said.
Bacani, who officiated the mass, also appealed to the senator not to forget to pray for the country.
"Miriam sleep in peace but pray for us...Please help us when you stand at the right side of Jesus in heaven...Our country, as you know very well needs more correcting and reforming," he said.
The senator, dubbed as the "Iron lady of Asia," has served the three co-equal branches of the government. She died in her sleep last September 28 after two years of battling with lung cancer. She was 71. (Sunnex)