Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (born Miriam Palma Defensor on June 15, 1945) is a Filipina lawyer, politician, and a Senator of the Philippines. She is the founder and current leader of the People's Reform Party as well as its former presidential candidate. Santiago was born in Iloilo City, Iloilo to local town Judge Benjamin A. Defensor and Dimpna Palma Defensor, an elementary school principal. In her youth, she graduated as class valedictorian in both elementary and high school levels. She completed her secondary education at Iloilo High School (now Iloilo National High School).