DHARAMSHALA: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay today condoled the demise of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago of Philippines. She passed away on Thursday, 29 September, after a brief battle with lung cancer. She was 71.

Expressing his profound condolences, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said: “On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration, I offer my heartfelt condolences at the sad demise of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.”

“Senator Santiago was a good friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a longtime supporter of the peaceful Tibetan struggle. She was also the convener of the first Tibet support group in the Philippines,” Sikyong said.

“We remain deeply grateful to her for raising her vital voice in support of the Tibet issue at various platforms during her lifetime. The Tibetan people stands in solidarity with her family at this sorrowful time,” he added.

Senator Santiago passed away in her sleep at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City. She is survived by her husband and son.

Senator Santiago has served as a senator from 1995 to 2001, and then from 2004 to 2016. She was a contender in the 2016 Philippines presidential race.

She has also served in all three branches of the Philippines government, in a public service career that spanned almost three decades.