NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2183
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23 may 15 PI .13
RHCEIVcD BY
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
RENAMING THE AGHAM ROAD AND THE SIR ROAD STRETCHING FROM 
NORTH AVENUE, TRAVERSING THROUGH QUEZON AVENUE, UP TO EAST 
AVENUE, ALL LOCATED IN QUEZON CITY, AS SENATOR MIRIAM P. 
DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO AVENUE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to honor the legacy of Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago, 
widely known as the "Iron Lady of Asia," by renaming the Agham Road and BIR 
Road located in Quezon City as Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue.
Senator Defensor-Santiago was an esteemed and celebrated female Icon of 
the modern era in the Philippines, whose exceptional achievements as a lawyer, 
public servant, and senator remain unparalleled. Senator Defensor-Santiago served 
in all three branches of government - judicial, executive, and legislative - leaving a 
profound impact on the country and the Filipino people she tirelessly served.
As a Regional Trial court judge. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago exhibited 
her unwavering commitment to justice. Her strict adherence to the law, refusal to 
tolerate delays, and impartiality in decision-making earned her the moniker "Fighting 
Judge" and established her as an exemplar of justice, inspiring respect and 
admiration among her colleagues and the legal community.
In the executive department, Miriam Defensor Santiago served as Bureau of 
Immigration Commissioner and Secretary of Agrarian Reform, where she
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demonstrated remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to public service. 
At the Bureau of Immigration, she implemented reforms to address corruption within 
the agency, restoring public trust and upholding the Integrity of immigration 
processes. As Secretary of Agrarian Reform, she passionately advocated for farmers' 
rights and pursued land distribution programs to empower them and promote social 
justice in the agricultural sector.
It was during her tenure as a member of the Philippine Senate that Senator 
Defensor-Santlago shone and made some of her greatest contributions to the 
Filipino people. Renowned as the senator with the highest number of bills filed, she 
authored significant laws that positively impacted the nation. Her legislative 
accomplishments include the landmark Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive 
Health Act of 2012, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the Magna Carta of Women, 
and the Archipelagic Baselines Act of 2009. These laws bear witness to her profound 
dedication to improving the lives of the Filipino people.
Senator Defensor-Santiago's exceptional contributions and unwavering 
commitment to public service were recognized through numerous prestigious 
awards, including the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Law, The 
Outstanding Women In the Nation's Service (TOWNS) Award for Law, the Ramon 
Magsaysay Award for Government Service, and the Most Outstanding Alumna in Law 
Award by the University of the Philippines. Moreover, in December 2018, she was 
posthumously honored with the prestigious Quezon Service Cross, the highest 
national honor bestowed by the Philippines, making her the first and only woman 
recipient of this esteemed accolade.Senator
Senator Defensor-Santiago also brought great pride to the Philippines as she 
became the first Asian from a developing nation and the first Filipino elected to the 
International Criminal Court by the United Nations. This remarkable achievement 
solidified her status as a trailblazer and showcased her exceptional legal expertise on 
the global stage.


Senator Defensor-Santiago's outstanding and selfless public service endeared 
her to the Filipino people. She holds a rockstar-like status among the youth, which 
makes her a favorite keynote speaker at many youth-oriented events.
In honor of her remarkable efforts and enduring contributions to the Filipino 
people and the nation, It is only fitting that Agham Road and BIR Road be renamed 
as Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue. By bestowing this honor upon her, 
we ensure that Senator Defensor-Santiago's Invaluable contributions to our society 
will be remembered and celebrated by generations to come.
In view of the foregoing, I earnestly seek for the approval of this bill.
/yK
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
■ t
ot tbs
23 MW t5 Pt-13
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
RENAMING THE AGHAM ROAD AND THE BIR ROAD STRETCHING FROM 
NORTH AVENUE, TRAVERSING THROUGH QUEZON AVENUE, UP TO EAST 
AVENUE, ALL LOCATED IN QUEZON CITY, AS SENATOR MIRIAM P. 
DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO AVENUE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. The Agham Road and the BIR Road, stretching from North Avenue,
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traversing through Quezon Avenue, up to East Avenue, all located in Quezon City,
3 
are hereby renamed as Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue.
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Sec. 2. The Department of Public Works and Highways shall Issue the
5 
necessary rules, orders, and circulars to implement the provisions of this Act within
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sixty (60) days from its effectivity.
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Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
8 
Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,