Exclusive - Late Senator Miriam’s Husband: 'Yung Pagmamahal at Papuri sa Kaniya, Sana Naigawa Nu'ng Buhay Pa Siya'

You never know a good thing till it’s gone. That is what Narciso Santiago was expressing to the media, as he made his way Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral Grottos, the place where his wife, the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago, had her wake. 

The former interior and local government secretary said "Katulad ni Presidente Duterte, binuhos nila sa pagsisilbi sa bayan at sa tao. Pero noong buhay siya, hindi siya nabigyan ng..." he said, unable to finish his sentence. (Like President Duterte, she gave her life serving the country and the people. But when she was alive she wasn't given...)

Condolences came from everywhere, even Santiago’s political enemies such as Juan Ponce Enrile and former president Fidel Ramos. 

Mr Santiago told the media that his wife deserved more praise and admiration than what she got from when she was still alive, and walked out from the media.

He then apologized for his behavior, saying that became too emotional and that he was just saddened by the attitude of the Filipino people.

Former senator Miriam Santiago passed away last Thursday, September 29, after she lost to a long battle with lung cancer. 

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

Sen. Miriam's husband, Jun Santiago: "Sana 'yung papuri at pagmamahal, nagawa nu'ng buhay pa siya." http://pic.twitter.com/iLNQZOquHB

— R-A. Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) September 30, 2016

Source: TNP, GMA