Grieving husband: Praises for Miriam came too late

MANILA — For Narcisco “Jun” Santiago, the husband of former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, praises for his beloved wife have come too late, ABSCBN News reported yesterday.

Speaking for the first time since Miriam's death, a teary-eyed Jun said people have only started to send kind words and express their love for the senator now that she is gone.

“Nalulungkot ako dahil sa pagpanaw ni Miriam. Iyung pagmamahal, pangalawa, ang pagmamahal at pagpuri sa kanya sana naigawad nung buhay pa siya,” Jun told reporters at the wake of the late senator.

Jun added, his wife deserved more admiration because she dedicated her life to public service. “She dedicated her life to public service, like President Duterte. But this was not emphasized when she was alive,” he said.

Miriam passed away at age 71 on September 29 after a long battle with lung cancer.

The Santiagos met in law school. A studious Miriam who had no plans of getting married eventually found herself saying yes to the happy-go-lucky Jun. They tied the knot on June 14, 1970, where Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Jun's hometown friend, stood as sponsor.

Throughout Miriam's judiciary and academic achievements, giving birth to another child, Santiago patiently stood behind her. Forty years after jumping into marriage, Miriam said in 2011, when they renewed their vows, "I'm very lucky to be married to the handsomest man in the world."

Government officials have paid their last respects to the late senator. Among the first to visit Miriam's wake at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Quezon City was former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who was her running mate in the 2016 presidential elections.