NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
s. B. No. 1888
of ti’f
23 FEB 15 P4-.37
RHCEIVtD BV;
Introduced by
Senators SONNY ANGARA, ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO, and MANUEL
"LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
RENAMING AGHAM ROAD AND BIR ROAD LOCATED IN QUEZON CITY AS 
SENATOR MIRIAM P. DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO AVENUE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago dedicated her life to serving the public, 
displaying a remarkable record of achievement in all three branches of government. 
There, she showcased exceptional leadership, love for her country, and a commitment 
to excellence through outstanding contributions as a respected legal luminary.
In 1983, while serving as presiding judge in the Regional Trial Court of Quezon 
City, she eradicated the court's backlog of cases by implementing a no-postponement 
policy.
Throughout almost five decades of public service, she held numerous high-level 
positions in the Executive Department, including serving as the Commissioner of the 
Bureau of Immigration and Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform. As 
Immigration Commissioner, she implemented significant reforms that reduced 
corruption in the bureau. Meanwhile, as Secretary of Agrarian Reform, Senator 
Defensor-Santiago put an end to a controversial land conversion scheme where 
property owners were attempting to have their agricultural lands redefined as 
commercial, industrial, or residential in order to avoid or outright violate relevant 
regulations.
Senator Miriam also served as a three-term senator, where she was consistently 
among those with the highest numbers of bills and resolutions filed, as well as the 
author of several landmark laws. Her advocacies covered wide-ranging topics related 
to education; job creation and support to entrepreneurs; public order, youth, women, 
and family relations; health and demography; and justice and human rights.


In 2011, she further brought honor to the country by being elected as judge of 
the International Criminal Court for a nine-year term, making her the first Filipino and 
first Southeast Asian from a developing state to hold such a seat.
With her legal brilliance and strong stance on issues of governance, human 
rights, and corruption. Senator Defensor-Santiago has earned prestigious awards such 
as the Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service Award for Law (1986), the Ramon 
Magsaysay Award for Government Service (1988), the YMCA Philippines Gold Vision 
Triangle Award for Government Service (1988), the University of the Philippines Most 
Outstanding Alumna in Law (1988), the Girl Scouts of the Philippine Golden Jubilee 
Achievement Award for Public Service (1990), and the Philippine Judges Association 
Hall of Fame (2015). In 2018, Senator Miriam once again made history as she became 
the first woman to be awarded the Quezon Service Cross, conferred only to a number 
of Filipino citizens for their exemplary service to the nation which adds great prestige 
to the Republic of the Philippines or contributes to the lasting benefit of its people.
Thus, in honor of Senator Defensor-Santiago's life-long public service and 
unparalleled contribution to shaping Philippine governance through her mastery of the 
law, this bill proposes to rename the Agham Road and the BIR Road to Senator Miriam 
P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA
ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
UEL "LITO" M. LAPID


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
oi !*lf
23 FEB 15 P4 37
SENATE
S. B. No. 1888
Introduced by
Senators SONNY ANGARA, ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO, and MANUEL
"LUO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
RENAMING AGHAM ROAD AND BIR ROAD LOCATED IN QUEZON CITY AS 
SENATOR MIRIAM P. DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO AVENUE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. The Agham Road and BIR Road traversing from North Avenue to 
East Avenue located in Quezon City are hereby renamed as Senator Miriam P. 
Defensor-Santiago Avenue.
SEC. 2. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Department 
of Public Works and Highways shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act
SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,